Loh Kean Yew out of KFF Singapore Open after q-final defeat by Christo Popov
Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in the last-16 win over Toma Junior Popov at the KFF Singapore Open on May 29. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
SINGAPORE – With a shake of the head, local hopeful Loh Kean Yew rued a missed opportunity to match his best finish at the US$1 million (S$1.29 million) KFF Singapore Open, after he lost 21-10, 21-14 to 23rd-ranked Christo Popov in the quarter-finals on May 30.
The 23-year-old Frenchman has been in fine form after eliminating Denmark's world No. 3 Anders Antonsen and India's 34th-ranked H. S. Prannoy in the earlier rounds of the Super 750 event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
He will face Lu Guangzu in the semi-finals on May 31, after the 15th-ranked Chinese overcame Japan's world No. 7 Kodai Naraoka 19-21, 21-17, 21-12.
Popov, a southpaw, had also beaten world No. 10 Loh in the last 16 of the 2023 KFF Singapore Open, and his latest win not only took their head-to-head record to 3-3 but also avenged older brother Toma Junior's last-16 loss to the Singaporean the previous day.
Loh, who reached the semi-finals in 2022 and quarter-finals in 2024, will collect a cheque for US$5,500 and turn his attention to the June 3-8 Indonesia Open.
Meanwhile, in the clash of two Olympic gold medallists in the women's singles quarter-finals, defending champion and world No. 1 An Se-young saw her unbeaten start to 2025 end at 27 matches when she lost 21-13, 21-16 to China's fifth-ranked Chen Yufei.
An's last-16 match the previous day had ended much later than Chen's. When asked if that had affected her, the Paris 2024 champion agreed, but did not want to make that an excuse.
The 23-year-old South Korean said: 'I could not get back my condition since yesterday's match. As a professional athlete, I have to focus on every single match. But today, I couldn't, so that was my problem.
'I am definitely not satisfied with the loss. However, this is not the end of the season so I need to improve to fight against my opponents for the rest of the season.'
After exacting revenge for losing the 2024 KFF Singapore Open final in three games to An, Chen will take on compatriot Han Yue in the final four after the world No. 4 beat Japan's 20th-ranked Natsuki Nidaira 21-17, 21-15.
World No. 2 Wang Zhiyi is also through after overcoming Thailand's seventh-ranked Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-17, 21-19. She will meet Japan's world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi, who prevailed 21-15, 22-20 over 18th-ranked Canadian Michelle Li and will attempt to prevent an all-China final.
Tokyo 2020 champion Chen had taken a six-month break from the sport to learn English and recover physically and mentally after the Paris 2024 Olympics.
But her win was not a surprise given her 13-11 head-to-head record against An, who struggled against her opponent's prowess at the net in the first game and fine judgment of clears to the back court in the second game.
Explaining her post-match celebration in which she put a finger to her lips, Chen said it was in response to criticism of the Chinese women's singles players after An had beaten Chen (twice), Wang and 14th-ranked Gao Fangjie (thrice each) this year.
The 27-year-old said: 'There were many doubts over our ability. But previously, I had not recovered completely, and now that I have, I feel I have the ability to compete with her.
'There is no need to belittle anyone, or our singles players, because I believe we are working hard together to improve and try to beat every opponent.
'I also can't say I'm back to my peak because of just this match. She may not have played well, or there may be issues with her condition today. But such is competitive sports, I can only stay grounded and take one match at a time, prepare fully, and do my part well.'
David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis.
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