* Translated by AI

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'Painful comeback loss four years ago' An Se-young gets chance for revenge... Women's badminton faces China in Uber Cup final

Published:

Kim Myeongseok

*This content was translated by AI.

  • Final match set for 5 p.m. on the 3rd
An Se-young. /Photo=Korea Badminton Association
An Se-young. /Photo=Korea Badminton Association

The South Korean women's Bae Deu-min-teon (CEO) team challenges to reclaim the world team championship title. For An Se-young (Samsung Life), who tasted regret on the final stage four years ago, this match carries the meaning of a revenge game.

The South Korean women's Bae Deu-min-teon (CEO) team advanced to the final by defeating Indonesia 3-1 in the semifinals of the 2026 Uber Cup (World Women's Team Badminton Championship) held in Horsens, Denmark, on the 2nd (Korean time).

South Korea took the lead with An Se-young defeating Putri Kusuma Wardani 2-0 (21-19, 21-5). The women's doubles pair of Lee So-hee (Incheon International Airport) and Baek Ha-na (MG Saemaeul Geumgo) then secured a 2-1 (21-16, 19-21, 21-15) victory in the women's doubles, bringing them closer to the final.

South Korea stumbled in the third match, the women's singles, when Shim Yu-jin (Incheon International Airport) lost to Talitha Ramadani Wiriyawan 0-2 (19-21, 19-21). However, in the following doubles match, the Kim Hye-jeong (Samsung Life) and Jeong Na-eun (Hwasun County Office) pair achieved a 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) victory, securing their spot in the final.

Kim Hye-jeong (left) and Jeong Na-eun, who led South Korea to the final with their women's doubles victory in the 2026 Uber Cup semifinal against Indonesia. /Photo=Korea Badminton Association
Kim Hye-jeong (left) and Jeong Na-eun, who led South Korea to the final with their women's doubles victory in the 2026 Uber Cup semifinal against Indonesia. /Photo=Korea Badminton Association

This tournament, which boasts the highest prestige in team badminton alongside the Thomas Cup (World Men's Team Badminton Championship), marks South Korea's return to the final for the first time since the 2022 edition, a span of four years and two tournaments. In the 2024 tournament, they were eliminated in the semifinals after losing to Indonesia.

The final opponent on the 3rd at 5 p.m. is China, the tournament's most successful team with 16 titles and the defending champion. China advanced to the final without losing a single match in the quarterfinals and semifinals against Malaysia and Japan, following their group stage A matches.

The final will also determine the champion through a sequence of singles and doubles matches: three singles matches followed by two doubles matches. The first team to win three matches claims the title. South Korea previously defeated China 3-2 to win the championship at the 2022 tournament in Thailand. With the score tied 2-2, Shim Yu-jin stepped up for the final singles match and defeated Wang Zhi to seal the victory.

Like last time, An Se-young will take the lead in this match, which carries the meaning of a revenge game. Four years ago in the final, An Se-young started the first singles match against Chen Yufei. She won the first game 21-17 to take the early lead, but then lost the next two games in a row, resulting in a comeback loss. Fortunately, South Korea still reached the top thanks to victories in the two women's doubles matches and Shim Yu-jin's singles win.

If An Se-young, who will again take the lead in this final, succeeds in taking the early lead unlike four years ago, she can shed the regret from the previous final stage. Naturally, South Korea's chances of winning the championship will increase significantly. If South Korea reaches the top, it will be their third overall title, following victories in the 2010 and 2022 tournaments.

South Korean women's badminton players who successfully advanced to the final of the 2026 Uber Cup (World Women's Team Badminton Championship). /Photo=Korea Badminton Association
South Korean women's badminton players who successfully advanced to the final of the 2026 Uber Cup (World Women's Team Badminton Championship). /Photo=Korea Badminton Association

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*This content was translated by AI.

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