Birmingham, England – The Korean women’s doubles team of Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee saw their bid for back-to-back All England Open titles fall short on Sunday, losing a straight-set match to China’s Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning. The fourth-ranked duo were defeated 18-21, 12-21 in the final of the BWF World Tour Super 1000 event, held at the Utilita Arena Birmingham.
The loss marks a disappointing end to the tournament for Baek and Lee, who were aiming to recapture the crown they won in 2024. They were ultimately outmatched by the world number one pairing of Liu and Tan, who proved too consistent throughout the match. This defeat continues a challenging run for the Korean team against their Chinese rivals.
The first game saw Baek and Lee initially accept control, establishing an early lead and maintaining it through the mid-game. However, a crucial four-point run by Liu and Tan shifted the momentum, allowing the Chinese pair to draw level at 13-11. Despite briefly regaining the lead, Baek and Lee conceded another four consecutive points, ultimately losing the first game 18-21.
The second game proved even more challenging for the Korean duo. While the early stages were closely contested, Liu and Tan began to pull ahead, leading 11-12 at the interval. Baek and Lee managed to close the gap to 11-15, but a subsequent six-point streak from their opponents sealed the victory for the Chinese team, concluding the match 12-21.
This loss brings Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee’s head-to-head record against Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning to 6 wins and 9 losses. Notably, they have lost all three encounters this year, including defeats at the Malaysia Open and the India Open, demonstrating the dominance of the Chinese pair this season.
The All England Open is a prestigious tournament on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour, categorized as a Super 1000 event, signifying its importance and the high level of competition it attracts. The tournament consistently draws top players from around the globe, making a victory all the more significant.
While the defeat is undoubtedly a setback, Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee will undoubtedly look to regroup and refocus as they continue their season. Their next competitive appearance is yet to be announced, but fans will be eager to observe how they respond to this challenge and continue their pursuit of further success on the international stage.
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