PARIS — An Se-young, ranked number one globally, has secured at least a silver medal by advancing to the women's singles final in badminton at the Paris Olympics. This achievement marks South Korea's first medal in this event in nearly three decades.
According to Yonhap News Agency, An triumphed over Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia with a score of 2-1 (11-21, 21-13, 21-16) in a challenging semifinal at La Chapelle Arena in Paris. This victory ensures that South Korea will receive its first medal in women's singles badminton since Bang Soo-hyun's gold in 1996.
In the final scheduled for Monday, An will face He Bingjiao of China, who advanced after defeating Carolina Marin of Spain. Marin, the 2016 Olympic champion, was forced to retire due to a knee injury during their match. An holds an 8-5 record in previous matches against He, setting the stage for a highly anticipated final showdown.
The semifinal match against Tunjung started unfavorably for An, as she struggled to gain momentum and allowed Tunjung to take control with aggressive play and precise shots. However, An reversed her fortunes in the subsequent games with strategic and forceful play, culminating in a strong finish to clinch her place in the final.
An’s resilience was on full display as she bounced back from an early deficit, a pattern that has characterized her performance throughout the tournament, including her previous comeback win against Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in the semifinals.