South Korea's An Se Young competes during the women's singles semifinal match between China's Wang Zhiyi and South Korea's An Se Young at BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, Aug. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
NEW DELHI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 An Se-young of South Korea advanced to the women's singles final of the BWF World Championships on Saturday after defeating third-seeded Wang Zhiyi of China in straight games.
Top seed An faced a serious challenge in the semifinals, edging Wang 24-22 in a tightly contested first game before maintaining her composure to take the second 21-16.
"We had lots of long rallies today, and I was not in my best form. But still, I tried my best and I feel proud of myself," Wang said after the match.
In the other semifinal, defending champion and second seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan powered past Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand 21-12, 21-17 to reach the final for the fourth time.
On the men's side, France's Alex Lanier advanced to his first World Championships final by overcoming Canada's Victor Lai 16-21, 21-13, 21-14 in 85 minutes. He will take on Japan's Kodai Naraoka, who beat Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei 17-21, 21-11, 21-10.
Men's doubles third seeds Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang of China eased past Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan of Chinese Taipei 21-18, 21-14, setting up a final clash with Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
"We've been through some really tough matches this week. And we feel more and more relieved now," Wang said, adding that there would be many uncertainties in the final and the only thing they could do was to stay focused and try their best.
In the women's doubles, defending champions Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning of China rallied from one game down to defeat Indian duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela 18-21, 21-13, 21-8, while compatriots Li Yijing and Luo Xumin fell to South Korea's Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee in straight games.
Chinese shuttlers also reached the mixed doubles final, as top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping battled for 97 minutes to beat Indonesia's Amri Syahnawi and Nita Violina Marwah 20-22, 21-14, 22-20. They will face France's Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue in the final. ■
China's Wang Zhiyi competes during the women's singles semifinal match between China's Wang Zhiyi and South Korea's An Se Young at BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, Aug. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
China's Wang Zhiyi competes during the women's singles semifinal match between China's Wang Zhiyi and South Korea's An Se Young at BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, Aug. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Tan Ning/Liu Shengshu (L) compete during the women's doubles semifinal match between China's Tan Ning/Liu Shengshu and India's Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela at BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, Aug. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Treesa Jolly (R)/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela compete during the women's doubles semifinal match between China's Tan Ning/Liu Shengshu and India's Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela at BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, Aug. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Tan Ning (L)/Liu Shengshu compete during the women's doubles semifinal match between China's Tan Ning/Liu Shengshu and India's Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela at BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, Aug. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Treesa Jolly (R)/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela compete during the women's doubles semifinal match between China's Tan Ning/Liu Shengshu and India's Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela at BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, Aug. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
