Impressive Loh Kean Yew and Yeo Jia Min clear first hurdles at KFF Singapore Open

Straits Times

6 days ago

Singapore's Loh Kean Yew taking an hour to beat Alex Lanier from France on the first round of the KFF Singapore Open on May 27. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
SINGAPORE – Loh Kean Yew had joked about sending his badminton buddy Alex Lanier packing to France before the start of the KFF Singapore Open, after the duo trained together just days before the US$1 million (S$1.29 million) event.
On May 27, the world No. 10 Singaporean made good on his word with a battling 21-23, 21-17, 21-11 men's singles win over his ninth-ranked opponent in an hour at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The victory was Loh's first over Lanier, after losing to him in three games at the Denmark Open quarter-final in 2024.
Asked if the familiarity from the sessions together helped him crack the deceptive techniques of Lanier, who likes to make no-look shots or play the shuttles late, the 27-year-old said: 'It works both ways, and we know each other's game. It was still a tough match.
'He is a strong player and his skills are actually quite good, although it doesn't look like that with his body so jacked. It's not easy to play with him, because he has good smashes and is physically strong. It's also hard to play here, because the (draught) is very confusing sometimes. I tried to stay focused, and he lost a bit of focus and eventually his confidence.'
In front of a partisan home crowd of 4,550, Loh showed true grit in the comeback win to set up a last-16 match on May 29 with another Frenchman, the 16th-ranked Toma Junior Popov.
Despite clawing back from a 10-16 deficit, Loh conceded the first game when he smashed wide.
Playing against the draught in the second game, he mixed things up with cross-court drop shots and down-the-line smashes to take the match to a decider.
Pumped up by the vociferous fans, Loh unleashed a torrent of smashes as his opponent grew increasingly frustrated – flinging his racket in despair at 2-9 down – before clinching the match with a smash to the body.
Since experiencing an uptick in form after making the German Open final in March, the Singaporean has appeared mentally stronger, winning his last seven matches that have gone to three games, including the Taipei Open final in May.
Against Popov, he will face a player he has beaten in all five previous meetings, although it went to the wire in the 2024 Spain Masters.
Loh said: 'I don't look at the statistics... maybe I'm winning more three-game matches, but I'm just going to keep focusing on trying to win each point.'
The hosts' other top singles players also gave impressive accounts of themselves on May 27.
Singapore's Jason Teh returning to China's Shi Yuqi during their first round match on May 27.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
World No. 24 Jason Teh lost 21-16, 21-16 to China's defending champion Shi Yuqi in 42 minutes, but not before giving the top-ranked player some serious problems.
Despite being praised by Shi for his aggressive play, the 24-year-old said: 'He is a lot more composed and mature. The biggest difference between us was that I had to work really hard to get two or three points, but I gave away so many more points easily.'
Singapore's Yeo Jia Min en route to beat Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan on May 27.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
In the women's singles, Yeo Jia Min showed great control to beat Thailand's 12th-ranked Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 21-13 in 41 minutes. She will meet world No. 1 An Se-young in the last 16 on May 29. The South Korean, who has an 8-2 record over Yeo, is aiming for a three-peat in Singapore.
Ranked a career-high world No. 11, Yeo said: 'It's a good win because I needed to get rid of the nerves in the first round. I'm very happy I could keep my focus throughout the match. I'm also glad I'm moving better, and could get back to my gameplay more smoothly.
'An Se-young is someone whom I respect a lot for her spirit and ability to be so consistent, so there's a lot to learn from her. But there's nothing to fear and I'll try my best to challenge her.'
There had been concerns over Yeo's injured right calf after she missed the Taipei Open and Malaysia Masters, but it did not prove to be a major issue although the 26-year-old admitted she is 'playing through pain and at 80 per cent'.
Yeo had a slow start against Busanan as she trailed 3-6 in the first game. But with the home crowd behind her in full voice, she grew into the game and took the lead after winning a 39-shot rally.
With the Thai looking to attack any loose shots, Yeo was patient and precise with her shots as she defended well and often came out on top in the long rallies. Despite trailing 10-11 at the interval, the home favourite won 11 of the next 14 points to take the opener.
Yeo had to work her way back from a three-point deficit again as Busanan led 8-5, and led out a huge roar when her opponent smashed into the net to make it 8-8. The Singaporean kept up the pressure with well-disguised shots and delicate drops that prevented the visibly frustrated visitor from attacking, as she cruised to victory.
Yeo said: 'It really feels quite different from playing overseas. I hear my name being cheered and it's heart-warming to know there are more supporters of local badminton now. It adds more excitement and I want to do well for my family, friends and Singaporeans.'
There was an upset in the men's singles as Denmark's world No. 3 Anders Antonsen lost 21-17, 21-13 to the 23rd-ranked Frenchman Christo Popov, while other big names sailed through.
On May 28, Singapore's 27th-ranked Terry Hee and Jin Yujia will open their mixed doubles campaign against Indonesia's world No. 26 Rehan Kusharjanto and Gloria Widjaja.
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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