An upset to send Se-young crashing back down to earth

KUALA LUMPUR: The all-conquering South Korean An Se-young (pic) was brought down to earth by her compatriot Kim Ga-eun, who produced the biggest upset of the opening day at the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou yesterday.

World No. 1 Se-young, the reigning world champion and the Asian Games gold medallist, lost her opening Group A game 18-21, 18-21.

Se-young, the winner of eight titles this year, was said to have been bothered by a knee injury and a hectic season but a successful season seems to have taken a toll on the player.

The injury had hampered Se-young in her last two tournaments – the China and Korean Masters last month – and Ga-eun won in Korea and was semi-finalist in the China Masters.

The results also helped Ga-eun to improve her world ranking where she currently occupies her best position at No. 13.

“It’s my first time at the World Tour Finals and it feels good that I’m in the same group as Se-young,” said Ga-eun.

“Se-young was injured and hasn’t been in her best shape, so that could be the reason I could win today.

“I got a lot of confidence from winning the Korean Masters, so I’m confident I can do well here.”

Meanwhile, Tai Szu-ying of Taiwan also kept her semi-final hopes alive by beating Indonesian Gregoria Mariska 21-18, 21-17 to stay in the hunt to make it to the semi-finals.

However, Tzu-ying will be cautious in her second group match where she will play giant-killer Ga-eun today.