Paris: Badminton world number one An Se-young has sounded an Olympic warning after winning the French Open title at the Paris arena, which will host matches this summer. The South Korean won her 21st BWF World Tour crown and second this year when she beat Japanese rival Akane Yamaguchi 18-21, 21-13, 21-10 in the French capital on Sunday.
An, 22, who will be favorite to win her first Olympic gold in four months, said: “It’s an important event before the Olympics and I felt a lot of pressure at first. “Winning in the Olympic arena means a lot and I feel very happy.
“I think I will be in a positive mood when I come back here for the Olympics. The tournament at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena was also considered a test event for the Paris Olympic organizers.
An rose to the top of women’s badminton after a breakthrough year in 2023, but has struggled with a knee injury in recent weeks. Former world number one Yamaguchi, also hampered by recent injury, was in contention for her first World Tour final since September.
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The 26-year-old said she ran out of breath in the 64-minute title decider. “I slowed down in the third,” said the Japanese player, ranked fourth in the world. “Right now my condition is much better (than two months ago) and I was able to reach the final, but I feel there is still a long way to go.”
World No. 2 Shi Yuqi of China won the French Open men’s title with a 22-20, 21-19 victory over Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn. The All England Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments in badminton, starts on Tuesday.
