Loh Kean Yew upsets home favourite in Taipei Open final for first badminton title in 14 months
SINGAPORE: Loh Kean Yew has had some near-misses since winning the Spain Masters in March last year, notably reaching the final of the German Open two months ago.
Playing in his second Badminton World Federation (BWF) showpiece clash of the year, the Singaporean seized the moment this time, ousting home favourite Chou Tien-chen 21-14, 15-21, 22-20 in the men's singles final of the Taipei Open on Sunday (May 11).
The world number 11 avenged his 2024 Thailand Masters final loss to the Taiwanese, who is ranked four places above him, to seal his fourth BWF World Tour title and his first since the Spain Masters tournament.
The former world champion also improved his head-to-head record against his 35-year-old opponent to 4-4 following the victory, with Chou unable to counter his attacks at the Taipei Arena.
Going into the Taipei final, Loh, 27, had been in decent form this year, earning the bronze at the Badminton Asia Championships last month, as well as finishing as the German Open runner-up and progressing to the All England Open quarter-finals.
In addition to taking home last year's Spain Masters title and being crowned the winner of the 2021 BWF World Championships, Loh won the Thailand Masters in 2019 and Hylo Open in 2021.
In the women's singles final, Japan's Tomoka Miyazaki beat Thai Pitchamon Opatniputh 21-12, 20-22, 21-14 in a battle of two rising 18-year-olds to clinch her third BWF World Tour title.
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