An Se-young vs Amalie Schulz: French Open 2026 badminton match preview, start time and live stream
World No. 1 An Se-young begins her campaign at the French Open 2026 on Wednesday, facing Denmark’s Amalie Schulz in the women’s singles Round of 32. The match opens an important week for the South Korean star, who arrives in Paris as one of the leading contenders for the title and will be aiming to build momentum from her first appearance on court.
The opening-round matchup has changed since the draw was first announced. An was initially scheduled to meet India’s P. V. Sindhu, but withdrawals in the field altered the pairing. Schulz now stands between the top seed and a place in the next round. The revised draw gives fans a new contest to follow, while presenting both players with a different set of tactical questions.
When is An Se-young vs Amalie Schulz at the French Open 2026?
The An Se-young versus Amalie Schulz Round of 32 match is scheduled to begin at 1:40 p.m. IST on Wednesday, which is 10:10 a.m. local time in Paris. The match will be played on Court 3 at the Arena Grand.
As with any badminton tournament schedule, the listed start time should be treated as an estimate. Earlier matches can run long, and court schedules may shift as a result. Viewers planning to watch live may want to check the tournament’s latest order of play and streaming coverage closer to the start.
Where to watch the match live
The match will be available to watch live on the BWF TV YouTube channel. Fans can follow the broadcast online and keep up with the action as the world’s top-ranked women’s singles player begins her French Open run.
A changed draw creates a fresh first-round test
An’s original pairing with Sindhu would have brought together two prominent names in women’s badminton, each with extensive experience on the international circuit. Instead, the change places the South Korean against Schulz, a Danish player she has not faced before. With no previous head-to-head match to draw on, An and her coaching team will need to prepare using available scouting information rather than the patterns of an established rivalry.
For An, the central challenge will be to settle quickly into the match and impose her preferred rhythm. The top seed is known for her movement, court coverage and ability to sustain pressure through long rallies. She can turn defence into attack, forcing opponents to play one more shot and look for openings under pressure. Those qualities make her difficult to beat, but a first-round match still demands focus: a new opponent can bring unfamiliar angles, pace and shot selection.
Schulz, meanwhile, has an opportunity to test herself against the world’s leading player on one of badminton’s biggest stages. Facing a top seed can be daunting, but it can also offer a clear game plan: play assertively, take chances when they appear and avoid allowing the favourite to control every exchange. Strong serving, accurate placement and timely attacking shots could help the Dane disrupt An’s rhythm and make the contest competitive.
What to watch for on court
The opening exchanges may provide an early indication of how Schulz intends to approach the match. If she can vary the pace and move An around the court, she may be able to create opportunities to attack. An will likely look to respond with consistency and precise placement, using her speed to retrieve difficult shots and extend rallies until a favourable opening appears.
In women’s singles badminton, patience and decision-making are often as important as power. Players must manage the length of rallies, recover efficiently between shots and choose the right moment to move from defence to attack. That balance could be especially significant here: An will be expected to take control, while Schulz may need to play with enough initiative to prevent the top seed from dictating the tempo.
The match is also an early test of tournament readiness. A strong first-round performance can help a title contender adjust to the court conditions, lighting and atmosphere in Paris. For Schulz, a composed showing against the world No. 1 would be valuable experience regardless of the result and could help establish her presence in the draw.
Why the French Open matters
The French Open is a major stop on the international badminton calendar, bringing together leading players from across the world. Every round offers ranking opportunities and a chance to build confidence against elite opposition. For An, the event is another chance to reinforce her position at the top of the women’s singles game. For Schulz, it is an opportunity to make an impression against a player whose consistency and court coverage set a demanding standard.
With the original Sindhu matchup replaced by a first-ever meeting between An and Schulz, Wednesday’s contest carries an element of uncertainty. An enters as the clear favourite, but the Danish player will be keen to make the most of her opportunity. Badminton fans can watch the Round of 32 encounter live on BWF TV’s YouTube channel, with play scheduled for 1:40 p.m. IST on Court 3 in Paris.
