An Se-young and Kunlavut Vitidsarn show contrasting form to reach next round at India Open 2026

Following her successful title defense at the Malaysia Open, world No. 1 An Se-young arrived in India exuding peak confidence. 

It came as no surprise to fans when the South Korean superstar delivered a masterclass performance, turning former world champion Nozomi Okuhara into a victim of her relentless momentum. An Se-young secured a dominant 2-0 victory in a match that lasted only 41 minutes.

Remarkably, this was a swift rematch of their encounter just one week ago. At the Malaysia Open Super 1000, the two faced off in the Round of 16. 

In that previous battle, An Se-young had already signaled her superiority by dismantling Okuhara in 37 minutes, highlighted by an incredible 11-point streak in the second game. However, in this latest clash in New Delhi, the world No. 1 appeared even more comfortable, dictating the tempo from the opening serve.

The opening game showcased Okuhara’s vast experience. The Japanese veteran managed to stay competitive, challenging the 23-year-old Korean with grueling long rallies. Both athletes displayed exceptional precision, committing very few unforced errors. 

However, the equilibrium began to shift toward the end of the game as An Se-young’s youthful energy took over. Her powerful smashes carried immense "lethal force," forcing Okuhara into desperate defensive maneuvers before An finally closed the game 21-17.

In the second game, the physical toll became evident. Okuhara’s stamina faded, leading to a series of personal errors that allowed An Se-young to build a massive early lead. The South Korean star eventually sealed the match with a crushing 21-9 scoreline, comfortably advancing to the second round.

An Se-young’s victory provided much-needed consolation for the South Korean contingent. This follows the disappointing news that the world’s top-ranked men’s doubles pair, Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho, officially withdrew from the tournament. 

Seo Seung-jae sustained a shoulder injury during a sliding play in the Malaysia Open quarterfinals. Although he pushed through the pain to help secure back-to-back titles in Malaysia, the injury required immediate rest to prevent long-term damage.

Meanwhile, in the men’s singles division, Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn mirrored An’s success but faced a much tougher path. The newly crowned Malaysia Open champion needed over an hour to overcome Japan’s Koki Watanabe in a three-game thriller, winning 21-19, 23-25, and 21-10. 

Following the withdrawal of Shi Yuqi due to a back injury, Vitidsarn has now emerged as the clear favorite to claim the India Open trophy.