South Korea’s women’s badminton team secured a 3-1 victory over Denmark in the Uber Cup qualifiers on May 3 (local time) at the Herlev Sports Center, clinching their third consecutive title in the tournament.
An Se-Young Overcomes Doubles Setback
World No. 1 singles player An Se-Young from Samsung Life Insurance bounced back from an early doubles defeat to deliver a pivotal win. Despite the initial loss in the opening doubles match, Korea rallied strongly, with An Se-Young dominating her singles matchup against Denmark’s top player.
She triumphed 2-0 (21-10, 21-13), overwhelming her opponent with superior positioning and power. An Se-Young unleashed 20 smashes, including five aces, showcasing her perfect game control throughout the match.
Team Korea’s Third Straight Triumph
This marks Korea’s third straight Uber Cup success, following wins in 2010 and 2022. The team demonstrated resilience, turning the doubles stumble into a singles masterclass that propelled them forward.
Following the victory, An Se-Young shared her excitement on social media: “We did it. ‘Team Korea’ is the 2026 Uber Cup champion. Everyone fought fiercely, and I will fill in for any missing players in Uber Cup. China is a formidable opponent with no easy points, but we’re scoring more uniquely. We showed great timing and hope to keep it up. Thanks to the fans for the warm message. I’ll cheer on ‘Team Korea’ with all my heart. Back on the court soon.”
BWF Introduces New Doubles Format
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced a groundbreaking change during the event in Denmark: a new doubles scoring system called ‘3×15’ (3 games of 15 points each), set to launch from January 2027.
This format aims to heighten competition by awarding two out of three 15-point games, with tiebreakers deciding close contests. It replaces the traditional 21-point games, shortening sets by six points while boosting intensity through faster rallies and more aggressive play.
Experts view this as a strategic shift to invigorate doubles, emphasizing power smashes and quick decisions. An Se-Young’s strong performance hints at how top players may adapt to the new rules in upcoming major tournaments.
