Latest news with #DenmarkOpen
Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Impressive Loh Kean Yew and Yeo Jia Min clear first hurdles at KFF Singapore Open
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. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
India Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Lakshya Sen: What has gone wrong with the promising badminton star?
There's no hiding from the fact that the metallic wand which once worked like a charm for Lakshya Sen is no longer producing the same magic. In recent months, Sen has experienced more setbacks than successes. From coming agonisingly close to Olympic glory to faltering in the early rounds of tournaments, the shuttler has seen a significant dip in the Paris Games, where he finished fourth, Sen struggled to string together wins. Back-to-back early exits at the Kumamoto Masters, Denmark Open, and Arctic Open raised concerns. A striking pattern in his defeats was his tendency to lose from advantageous positions—he let two matches slip away despite being a game Sen briefly redeemed himself by clinching his first Syed Modi International title. The comeback was short-lived, as he delivered underwhelming performances in the All England Open, Asia Championships, and Thailand Open. His rough patch has lasted longer than anyone anticipated. When an athlete endures a prolonged slump, the conversation typically centres around two possibilities: is it a technical flaw or a mental block? In Sen's case, it appears to be more of a mental challenge—at least according to his coach, Vimal Kumar. Vimal believes that Sen needs to change his mindset on court, which could be the key to unlocking the consistent results that have eluded him of late."He needs to overcome how to deal with a particular situation. I have talked to him enough on that. He also knows but has to apply himself and get that thing done. Nobody else can. It's only his hands, how the thought process happens and how he deals with it,' Vimal told Hindustan Padukone had earlier stated that it was in fact on the players to introspect, and find a way to win.'The players need to introspect, and not just keep asking for more from the federations. They need to ask themselves whether they are working hard enough. Ultimately the responsibility is on the players to go and deliver when it matters the most," Padukone had expressed after Sen's loss in the bronze medal match at the Paris the Paris Olympics, Sen emerged as India's best-performing badminton player, defeating several higher-ranked opponents during an impressive run. Hailed as a future champion by none other than Viktor Axelsen, Sen now faces a formidable challenge—not just to overcome his mental block, but to do what champions are known for: win by Sidharth GulatiMust Watch
The Star
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
World can be their oyster
Capable of more success : Aaron and Wooi Yik have not managed to consistently bring their best form to the World Tour and have only won the 2023 Denmark Open and 2024 Korean Masters titles so far. PETALING JAYA: One is not enough. And with an intent on making former men's doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik multiple title winners this year, coach Herry Iman Pierngadi is ready to guide his charges to another success at the Thailand Open starting in Bangkok today. Herry, who replaced Tan Bin Shen in February, won plaudits after guiding Aaron-Wooi Yik to the Asian Championships crown last month. Aaron-Wooi Yik, however, have not managed to consistently bring their best form to the World Tour and have only won the 2023 Denmark Open and 2024 Korean Masters titles so far. The world No. 5 pair did well to win the world title in 2022 and two bronze medals in the Olympics (2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris). Herry is keen to change their lack of titles in the World Tour. 'I want to help Aaron-Wooi Yik improve their record in the World Tour as they are one of Malaysia's best men's pairs,' said Herry. 'They have been following my training programme well since I started coaching them. There are a few aspects though that they can still improve on like Wooi Yik's power from the back court.' In Thailand, second seed Aaron-Wooi Yik will play French pair Julien Maio-William Villeger in the opening round. A victory could see the Malaysians take on Japan's tricky duo Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita next for a place in the last eight. Meanwhile, the other Malaysian men's pairs in the fray will be Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub, Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian, Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong, Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing and qualifiers Chia Weijie-Lwi Shenghao. The top seeds are Indonesia's world No. 4 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto. In the women's doubles, world No. 4 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah will be the country's best hope and will open their campaign against Japan's Hina Osawa-Akari Sato. Pearly-Thinaah will be joined in the competition by Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing and youngsters Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting. Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien and Roy King-Valeree Siow will be Malaysia's mixed doubles representatives.
