Se-young forgets pain in bid to become first Korean winner

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler An Se-young (pic) is still not in her best condition but she will not let this stop her from trying to create history for South Korea in the Malaysian Open.

The reigning world champion is aiming to become the first women’s singles player from her country to win the tourney.

Se-young, though, is still trying to regain her best form after battling through a right knee injury on her way to capturing the gold in the Hangzhou Asian Games last October.

The world No. 1 was sidelined for a month after the Asiad before making her return in the Japan Masters in Kumamoto.

Yesterday, Se-young had to survive a huge scare against Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min before booking her spot in the semis.

The 21-year-old came from behind to beat world No. 22 Jia Min 16-21, 21-12, 21-19 in a thrilling last-eight match at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.

“All players want to win and I’m no different,” said Se-young.

“My condition, though, is not the best and my focus is on regaining my best form.

“I will say that I’m at about 70% now.”

On her quarter-final win, Se-young said: “I found it hard to deal with the draught in the court in the first game.

“In the second and third, I got used to the court conditions and got back my rhythm.

“All players are strong in the quarter-finals onwards but my focus is only on myself.”

Se-young had enjoyed a dominant 2023 prior to her injury, winning eight World Tour titles to go with her world crown and Asiad gold.

The youngster came close to winning the Malaysian tourney too last year but was denied by Japan’s world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi in the final.

There will be no repeat of the final in the last four this year after Yamaguchi suffered a shock 21-12, 17-21, 17-21 defeat at the hands of China’s world No. 17 Zhang Yiman.