Loh Kean Yew through to Singapore Open quarter-finals after late comeback
Loh Kean Yew will meet Christo Popov in the Singapore Open quarter-finals on May 30. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
SINGAPORE – Fighting back from a five-point deficit in his decider, Singapore's Loh Kean Yew kept local hopes up as he staged a late rally to prevail 21-12, 14-21, 21-18 against 16th-ranked Toma Junior Popov of France in their men's singles last-16 match at the US$1 million (S$1.29 million) KFF Singapore Open on May 29.
The world No. 10 had already overcome one Frenchman in ninth-ranked Alex Lanier in the opening round, and will meet another one in the May 30 quarter-finals when he takes on world No. 23 Christo Popov, who is Toma Junior's younger brother.
Earlier in the day, 15th-ranked Lu Guangzu of China stunned his compatriot, world No. 1 and defending men's singles champion Shi Yuqi, 17-21, 21-13, 26-24. He saved two match-points and required six of his own to seal a quarter-final against Japan's world No. 7 Kodai Naraoka.
Meanwhile, China's world No. 4 Li Shifeng was eliminated 21-18, 21-14 by 19th-ranked Lin Chun-yi of Chinese Taipei, while Indonesia's world No. 5 Jonatan Christie lost 21-16, 21-19 to Malaysia's 25th-ranked Leong Jun Hao.
Leong will next face Thailand's world No. 2 Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the reigning world and Asian champion, who eased to a 21-8, 21-17 win over China's 33rd-ranked Wang Zhengxing.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese world No. 6 Chou Tien-chen, a semi-finalist here in 2024, was also beaten 21-12, 21-16 by Hong Kong's 21st-ranked Lee Cheuk Yiu.
There was also an upset in the women's singles, where Japanese starlet and world No. 8 Tomoka Miyazaki lost 21-17, 21-18 to Canada's 18th-ranked Michelle Li.
Later in the day, Singapore's 11th-ranked Yeo Jia Min will take on South Korea's defending champion and world No. 1 An Se-young, who is also the reigning world and Olympic champion.
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