Loh Kean Yew reaches 2nd semi-final of the year at Korea Open
Singapore's ex-world champ overcomes a tight match against Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong, faces top-seeded Kodai Naraoka next
SINGAPORE — Fresh from a mid-season break, Singapore shuttler Loh Kean Yew marched into the Korea Open semi-finals after defeating Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong 22-20, 21-19 in 45 minutes on Friday (21 July).
This is the second time the former world champion has reached the last-four of a tournament this year, and the first since advancing into the Badminton Asia Championships final back in April, when he fell to world No.2 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting at the final hurdle.
However, so far at the Jinman Stadium in Yeosu this week, the 26-year-old has been able to find consistency among his matches and progress steadily into the semi-finals, where he will face top-seeded Japanese Kodai Naraoka, who defeated Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-17, 21-18 to advance on Friday.
Loh, currently at No.8 in the badminton world rankings, had to work hard for the win against world No.23 Ng - who had defeated him at last year's Birmingham Commonwealth Games singles tournament - as a see-saw battle ensued between the two rivals.
As the lead changed hands constantly throughout the match, Loh took care of the key points, and eked out a tight match by winning the final two points in each game.
Loh had beaten another Malaysian, Leong Jun Hao, in his opening round, winning 21-10, 21-14 on Wednesday to advance. In the round of 16 on Thursday, he faced a tough opponent in China's up-and-coming Zhao Junpeng, but managed to prevail in three games, 21-19, 17-21, 21-6.
Other Singapore shuttlers have been eliminated from the tournament. Women's singles player Yeo Jia Min came up short against China's world No.5 He Bingjiao, losing 19-21, 19-21 in the opening round.
Meanwhile, women's doubles pair Jin Yujia and Crystal Wong were beaten 11-21, 11-21 by China duo Zhang Shuxian and Zheng Yu in the round of 16.
Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
