Paris : In a thrilling upset at the BWF World Championships 2025 held in Paris, China’s Chen Yufei stunned the badminton world by defeating the tournament’s top seed and reigning Olympic champion An Seyoung in straight sets, 21-15, 21-17, to secure her place in the women’s singles final.
The semifinal clash was highly anticipated as it featured two of the sport’s biggest Olympic champions battling for a spot in badminton’s most prestigious annual event. Despite suffering an ankle injury early in the second game, Chen showed remarkable resilience and determination, never allowing the injury to compromise her gameplay.
The match started with anxious energy from both players, but Chen quickly found her rhythm. She built an early lead with a streak of five consecutive points to establish a commanding 7-2 advantage. Maintaining a strong offensive and defensive balance, Chen controlled the pace and took the first game convincingly.
The second game saw An Seyoung come out fighting, taking brief leads twice. However, Chen’s experience and tactical nous enabled her to claw back each time under intense pressure. The score was tied at 11-11, reflecting the tight contest between the two world-class athletes. Chen then produced a decisive run of four points, jumping ahead 20-15 and ultimately sealing the match on her third match point after a titanic rally.
Chen’s victory was not only a testament to her skill but also to her mental toughness. Commenting post-match, Chen said, “The ankle was painful, but I focused on every point and stayed in the moment. Defeating the world No.1 and Olympic champion is a huge morale boost ahead of the final.”
In the other semifinal, Japan’s Yamaguchi Akane produced a blistering performance to overcome Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani in a three-game thriller, 21-17, 14-21, 21-6. After losing the second game, Yamaguchi unleashed a powerful and relentless attacking style in the decider, surging to an early 4-0 lead and eventually dominating 21-6. Yamaguchi will meet Chen Yufei in the final, setting up a clash between two former Olympic champions for the coveted world title.
Reflecting on her upcoming opponent, Yamaguchi said, “Chen is an incredible competitor. I will prepare to bring my best game for the final.”
The BWF World Championships continue to showcase badminton’s finest talents and intense rivalries. Chen Yufei now has the opportunity to add the world title to her Olympic gold, aiming for a historic achievement in her career.
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