KUALA LUMPUR — South Korea’s world No.1 An Se Young continued her dominant run in women’s singles badminton by capturing the 2026 Malaysia Open title, defeating China’s Wang Zhi Yi in straight games to complete a historic three-peat in Kuala Lumpur.
The victory marked An’s 25th consecutive win across seasons and sealed her third straight Malaysia Open crown, underlining her status as the most consistent force in women’s singles badminton.
An Se Young’s Performance in a High-Quality Final
Just weeks away from her 24th birthday, An Se Young showcased trademark patience and court control to secure a 21–15, 24–22 victory over world No.2 Wang Zhi Yi in the season-opening Super 1000 final.
The second game proved particularly tense, with Wang pushing An deep into extra points. However, the Korean star once again delivered when it mattered most, closing out the match with calm shot selection and unshakable defense.
A Rivalry Firmly in An Se Young’s Favor
The win extended An Se Young’s dominance over Wang Zhi Yi to nine straight victories. Including previous meetings, An now holds a commanding edge in their head-to-head record, a statistic that has made her Wang’s most challenging opponent on the tour.
An also defeated Wang in last year’s Malaysia Open final, making this latest triumph a continuation of her control over the rivalry at one of badminton’s most prestigious venues.
Across the 2025 season, An amassed an extraordinary medal haul, and her start to 2026 suggests no slowdown in momentum as she eyes another year at the summit of women’s singles badminton.
Other Finals Results
In the women’s doubles final, China’s Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning produced a composed display to defeat Korea’s Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee 21–18, 21–12.
The mixed doubles title went to Chinese pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping, who edged compatriots Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin 21–19, 21–19 in a tightly contested final.
With another Malaysia Open crown secured, An Se Young begins 2026 exactly where she left off — firmly in control of women’s singles badminton and setting the benchmark for the rest of the season.
