So Young, So Bright
An Se Young’s victory at the Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Open 2019 yesterday marks the arrival of an exciting new talent in women’s singles.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Ever since her Uber Cup performance last year – when she helped Korea into the semi-finals winning all four of her matches – An has been regarded as a prospect to watch out for. Sunday’s victory – her first World Tour title – might well mark the start of big things to come.
Just 17 years old, the Korean made her way through a difficult field, beating players like Chen Xiaoxin, former Chinese junior international (now playing for Australia) Qin Jinjing, Beiwen Zhang, Aya Ohori, and finally, Li Xuerui.
Three of her four matches going into the final were three games, and yet she showed no sign of fatigue as she beat the vastly more experienced Li 21-19 21-15.