South Korea stun China 3-1 to win third Uber Cup title in Horsens

Key facts

• South Korea beat China 3-1 in the Uber Cup final on May 3, 2026, in Horsens, Denmark.
• World No. 1 An Se-young defeated world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi 21-10, 21-13 in 47 minutes.
• Kim Ga-eun, ranked 17th, upset world No. 4 Chen Yufei 21-19, 21-15 in 55 minutes.
• Baek Ha-na and Kim Hye-jeong won the decisive doubles 16-21, 21-10, 21-13 in 85 minutes.
• China had won the 2024 Uber Cup and were seeking a 17th title.
• South Korea previously won the Uber Cup in 2010 and 2022, both times defeating China.
• An Se-young did not drop a single set throughout the tournament.
• Kim Ga-eun entered the final with a 1-8 head-to-head record against Chen Yufei.

Final showdown in Horsens

South Korea delivered a stunning performance to shock powerhouse China 3-1 and clinch their third Uber Cup title on May 3 at the Forum Horsens in Denmark. The Koreans added to their tally after having previously lifted the trophy at the 2010 edition in Kuala Lumpur and 2022 in Bangkok, also defeating China on both occasions. This victory denied China a 17th title and marked the first time South Korea reclaimed the trophy since 2022, after China had won the 2024 edition.

An Se-young sets the tone

World No. 1 An Se-young got the first point for South Korea after she beat world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi 21-10, 21-13 in 47 minutes. From the start of the first set, An scored seven consecutive points to seize control early, and in the second set she neutralized her opponent with her characteristic mature game management. An, who displayed flawless performance from the group stage to the final without dropping a single set, secured the first point of the match in just 47 minutes.

China levels through doubles

Sixteen-time winners China then levelled the tie as world No. 1 doubles pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning took down Jeong Na-eun and Lee So-hee 21-15, 21-12 in 53 minutes. The second match faltered for South Korea, returning the match to a 1-1 tie.

Kim Ga-eun's stunning comeback

In a critical moment, Kim Ga-eun, who stepped in as the singles player for the third match, appeared as the savior. Her opponent was Chen Yufei, a 2010 London Olympic gold medalist and Kim's arch-rival, against whom she held a record of one win and eight losses. Kim trailed 8-15 in the first set and seemed destined to lose, but with remarkable focus she tied the score at 16-16 before staging a stunning comeback to win 21-19. Riding the momentum, she also won the second set 21-15 after a tight contest that reached 15-15, scoring six consecutive points to secure a 2-0 (21-19, 21-15) victory in 55 minutes.

Baek and Kim seal the title

With just one victory needed to claim the title, the doubles pair of Baek Ha-na and Kim Hye-jeong put the final period on the match. Facing the Chinese pair of Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian, the two players lost the first set 16-21, but from the second set onward they displayed fantastic chemistry, turning the match around with a 21-10 win. In the final third set, they relentlessly exploited their opponents' mistakes, building an early 12-2 lead before concluding the 85-minute intense battle with a 2-1 (16-21, 21-10, 21-13) comeback victory.

Road to the final

South Korea defeated Spain, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia in succession to reach the final, and by overcoming the previous tournament champion China, they achieved their third title in history. China had reached the final after 3-0 and 3-1 semi-final wins over Japan and Indonesia respectively on May 2. Chen Yufei had warned her teammates before the final to stave off complacency, saying: 'I would tell my teammates to keep a strong mentality against any opponent, to just play their best self.'

Historical context and outlook

China have failed to retain the Uber Cup since winning it for the third time in a row in 2016. After failing to reach the 2018 final which Japan won, they regained their title in 2020, but lost to South Korea in the 2022 final before reclaiming it again in 2024. South Korea once again proved itself as China's nemesis by thwarting the latter's ambition for its 17th title at every final stage. At the moment the final score was confirmed, An Se-young and the entire team poured onto the court to celebrate reclaiming the throne for the first time in four years.

The bottom line

• South Korea won their third Uber Cup, all by defeating China in the final (2010, 2022, 2026).
• An Se-young went undefeated in the tournament, dropping no sets.
• Kim Ga-eun overcame a 1-8 head-to-head deficit to beat Olympic champion Chen Yufei.
• China have not retained the Uber Cup since 2016, losing in the final in 2018, 2022, and 2026.
• The decisive doubles pair Baek Ha-na and Kim Hye-jeong rallied from a first-set loss to win in 85 minutes.