There’s nowhere to hide as the finals arrive at the YONEX All England
There will be no hiding from the spotlight on Finals Day at the YONEX All England 2025.
Five blockbuster ties will see champions crowned at one of the most prestigious tournaments in sport.
Some will take their first steps into an All England final, while others have been here before.
It is lost on none of them what the occasion means.
China are guaranteed at least one winner as Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui take on compatriots Feng Yan Zhe and Wei Ya Xin in the mixed doubles.
For Feng and Wei, reaching the showpiece is a sign of their adaptability having only recently been paired together.
“It’s amazing to be able to play in the final as a pair for the first time,” Wei said “It’s very unexpected and for me it’s also a surprise.”
While for Guo and Cheng, it is a culmination of two years of hard work to reach their first All England final.
In the men’s singles final, Lee Chia Hao has nothing to lose but everything to gain as he takes on the top seed Shi Yu Qi of China.
The two are set to meet in the first round of the Swiss Open next week and Lee would have been expecting to spend his Sunday preparing for that match.
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However, after a string of stirring performances, including winning his first round match 25-23 in the decider, Lee finds himself on the brink of history.
No Chinese Taipei player has ever won the men’s singles title at the YONEX All England.
2018 champion Shi stands in his way, with the world number one hellbent on reclaiming his crown.
He said: “I absolutely want to win this tournament again.
“I need to recover from my semi-final because I’m tired after an intense game. No matter who I meet tomorrow I will just do my best, get my head down and try and win the game.”
Japanese teammates will face off in the women’s doubles’ final with all four players already possessing the trophy in their collection.
2022 winners Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama will take on 2020 victor Yuki Fukushima and her new partner Mayu Matsumoto, the 2021 champion.
The duos place in the final ensures the trophy will return to Japan for the first time in two years as they have broken South Korea’s grip.
Matsumoto said: “To be able to play in the final of such a historical tournament itself is such a privilege and I’m very very happy to reach the final having a new partner.
“To have this new challenge in the final with a new partner will be different from previous experiences so that will make me really happy. We would like to enjoy it as much as possible.”
Having come through an epic against Akane Yamaguchi, An Se Young is now one step away from winning her fourth tournament in a row.
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She said: “I was hoping so badly to be in the final, so I’m pleased I have the opportunity to become a champion again.
“For my semi-final match I was just focussing on each point. I was happy that we were able to have an astonishing match for the fans.”
The person who stands in An’s way is the player who was the last to beat her back in December 2024 – Wang Zhi Yi.
The Chinese world number two was on fire against compatriot Han Yue to reach her first All England final and looks to be peaking at the right time to challenge An.
The men’s doubles final will see Indonesia look to extend their winning run while Korea hope to enter a new dawn.
The Indonesian duo will be up against Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae of Korea who made their first final with a comeback win the semi-final.
For Maulana, as the more experienced half of his duo, reaching in the final before makes him keen to share the feeling with Carnando.
He said: “It’s thanks to God I can make the finals again. Now it’s with Leo and I can bring him to the final!”
Last tickets available for the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships 2025. Book now to guarantee your seat to watch the world’s best badminton players compete! All England Open Badminton New | All England Badminton
Photo courtesy of Badmintonphoto
