Orleans, France – An Se Young and Alex Lanier have advanced to the 2025 Orleans Masters finals after delivering impressive performances in the semifinals.
An Se Young Fights Past Gao Fangjie in Three-Game Thriller
World No. 1 An Se Young overcame a stiff challenge from China’s Gao Fangjie, battling through a hard-fought three-game match to secure a spot in the women’s singles final.
🔹 Match Score: An Se Young 2-1 Gao Fangjie
- First Game: 20-22
- Second Game: 21-7
- Third Game: 21-14
This win marks An Se Young’s third consecutive victory over Gao Fangjie in major tournaments. The two last met in the 2024 China Masters final, where An dominated with a 21-12, 21-8 win in just 38 minutes.
📺 Watch the Highlights: An Se Young vs. Gao Fangjie (2025 Orleans Masters Semifinal)
Match Recap: An’s Tactical Adjustments Secure Victory
Game 1:
- An started strong, leading 4-2, but Gao quickly adjusted with high-quality baseline attacks, neutralizing An’s offense.
- The two traded points until 10-10, with An taking a narrow 11-10 lead at the interval.
- Despite An’s aggressive push, Gao fought back, utilizing steep smashes and sharp net play to snatch the first game 22-20.
Game 2:
- An tightened her control, eliminating unnecessary errors and dictating the pace.
- She stormed to a 9-2 lead and extended it to 11-3 at the interval.
- With relentless attacking pressure, An crushed Gao 21-7, forcing a decider.
Game 3:
- The final game started as a physical battle, with both players trading leads up to 13-13.
- An switched gears, executing precise front-court control and extended her lead to 16-13.
- Despite Gao’s resistance, An’s near-flawless execution sealed the match 21-14.
An Se Young to Face Chen Yufei in the Final
The 2024 Olympic champion An Se Young will face China’s 2020 Olympic champion Chen Yufei in the women’s singles final.
Men’s Singles: French Star Alex Lanier Reaches Final
Home favorite Alex Lanier advanced to the final after a straight-game victory over Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen, who had previously stunned No. 1 seed Lee Zii Jia in the quarterfinals.
🔹 Match Score: Lanier 2-0 Nguyen
- First Game: 21-19
- Second Game: 21-18
Lanier will now face Taiwan’s Lin Chun-Yi for the men’s singles crown.
Men’s Doubles: China’s Liang Wei Keng / Wang Chang Advance to Final
China’s top-seeded pair Liang Wei Keng / Wang Chang overpowered Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif / Yap Roy King 21-14, 21-14 in the semifinals.
They will face the winner of the all-Korean clash between Kim Won Ho / Seo Seung Jae and Kang Min Hyuk / Ki Dong Ju.
Women’s Doubles: All-Korean Final Set
In the women’s doubles final, it will be an all-Korean showdown as:
✅ Baek Ha Na / Lee So Hee will take on Kim Hye Jeong / Kong Hee Yong for the title.
Mixed Doubles: Indonesia vs. Denmark in Final
Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto / Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja will take on Denmark’s Jesper Toft / Amalie Magelund in the mixed doubles final.
What’s Next?
With An Se Young aiming for another major title and Alex Lanier seeking home glory, the 2025 Orleans Masters finals promise intense badminton action.
Stay tuned for more badminton news and updates! 🏸🔥
