BADMINTON | Already a legend, An Se continues to chase perfection

‘How does one beat you’ evoked confusion and eventually a giggle from An Se Young as the 23-year-old finally realised the question after winning her 10th match against Zhi Yi Wang in the final of the India Open, her sixth title in as many tournaments.

“I know everyone will try their best to win against me (but) I will try my best not to lose,” she smiled.

It is a question few have managed to find an answer to on the World Tour. Last year An Se, Paris Olympics champion, reached 12 finals in 15 events, winning 11, a 94.8 match winning percent. It is still not perfect enough for the Korean.

She admits constantly winning is a pressure but also gave a peep into the mindset that makes her so intimidating. “I feel pressure but I don’t think about my feelings. I just try to do my best on the day and focus on the game.

“I am disappointed when I make mistakes and lose a point and when I do, I think I have to do more, try and find out my mistakes and work on them,” she said.

This from a player who hasn’t dropped a game in nine matches and conceded a grand total of 115 points in five matches here.

“She is stable, strong and plays faster in every aspect. She is one of the strongest opponents but Chen Yu Fei and Tai Tzu Ying are also tough opponents. I will try to improve my abilities and skills, change some strategies and beat her in the future,” Wang insisted.

While most other players have struggled with the drift and wind inside the cavernous arena, specially on the far side of the courts, An Se seems to be unaffected with all the small talk.

“It is not easy,” she protested with a laugh when asked about the conditions. “Every player has a different style of playing. I only want to do my best, I see how the court is going on and match my speed and everything else with the court to counter the drift,” she shrugged.

Her coach declared they were working on getting even better. “The semifinal (against Ratchanok Intanon) I think was perfect but since she doesn’t think so, we are working on her movements, footwork and attacking strokes to get better,” coach Lee Hyun-Il explained through a translator. An Se’s own idea of perfection is a 21-0 win. It may not happen soon but the thought is scary enough.