All England Open: Japan's Akane Yamaguchi beats An Seyoung, claims title crown

The two players, who have led the way in the category since Tokyo, met six times at the business end of 2021 including at the World Championships and BWF World Tour Finals. They split wins evenly, three apiece, but there was no doubting the winner at Utilita Arena Birmingham.

Birmingham: Japan's Akane Yamaguchi on Sunday clinched the 2022 All England women's singles title by beating the second-seed from South Korea An Seyoung 21-15, 21-15 in straight sets in 43 minutes.

The two players, who have led the way in the category since Tokyo, met six times at the business end of 2021 including at the World Championships and BWF World Tour Finals. They split wins evenly, three apiece, but there was no doubting the winner at Utilita Arena Birmingham.

Read: ICC rates Bengaluru pitch as 'below average' after India-Sri Lanka Test

The Japanese shuttler brought her incredible form into the final, and won the first game 21-15 in 19 minutes - she had five-game points but only needed one.

Game two had its moments but Yamaguchi prevailed without breaking any sweat against the Korean shuttler with the same scoreline.

It's the 2021 world champion's 18th career title, a ninth tour title and a third Super 1000 title with so much more yet to come.

With Agencies