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Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
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. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Loh Kean Yew aims to be a good father as he juggles both new and old responsibilities
With the help of his wife, Singapore's top badminton player Loh Kean Yew has adapted well to life as a father and touring pro. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Loh Kean Yew aims to be a good father as he juggles both new and old responsibilities SINGAPORE – His main goals have not changed – become an Olympic champion and rise to world No. 1 – but the responsibilities have. The past 12 months have seen several key changes to Loh Kean Yew's life as the Singapore badminton star became a father in July and had a coaching change in January. So, at the start of 2025, the 27-year-old wrote down new targets on top of doing well at the May 27-June 1 KFF Singapore Open, world championships and SEA Games: 'Earn money, be a good dad and spend more time with family.' Not losing sight of his dream of winning an Olympic gold and becoming the top-ranked player to inspire the younger generation, Loh is now very much motivated by his own son and wife these days. He shared that as he juggles changing nappies and retrieving smashes from the world's best players, he is able to continue being a touring badminton pro, thanks to his wife's support. Loh told The Straits Times on May 26: 'I've been more of a badminton player than a father. I also want to spend more time with my son and my wife. This is why, whenever I can, I'll try my best to be with them, and do whatever I can – change his diapers, play with him, feed him, nap with him, put him to bed – to let my wife rest. 'She has been very understanding... There's not much I can do to help her at home when I'm not around, so I need to do my part, which is play the best I can. 'After having a baby, there are many things I don't see as important any more. I just want to focus on my badminton and be a good role model for my son.' In an Instagram post on Mother's Day, Singapore badminton star Loh Kean Yew thanks his wife for taking care of their baby son as he focuses on his playing career. PHOTO: LOHKEANYEW/INSTAGRAM Consistency has often been a challenge for Loh. After reaching the quarter-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he lost to Denmark's eventual champion Viktor Axelsen, he won just five out of his next 15 matches, was knocked out in the first round at six out of nine events, and slipped out of the top 10. 'There are a lot of tournaments we must play on tour, so I had no choice but to be there and try my best, even though I needed to rest after the Olympics,' he explained, adding that the six years of preparation for the Tokyo and Paris Games in 2021 and 2024 respectively had been very taxing. Beneath his smiley exterior, losing hurts. Loh said he has daily psychological battles within himself. 'Like whether I'll be able to perform, whether I will lose today? How will I play, what can I do to win today? It sounds like simple stuff... but it is actually a very tough battle that nobody knows,' he added. After spending some time with his family, Loh started soaring again. In 2025, he reached the German Open final and All England quarter-finals, before winning the Taipei Open in between semi-final appearances at the Badminton Asia Championships and Thailand Open, to take his prize money for the year past $70,000. His fine run has coincided with his tutelage under singles head coach Kim Ji-hyun, who was hired in January, though he also credited former coach Kelvin Ho for 'making me very strong as a player'. The world No. 10 added: 'Coach Kim has given me much more confidence in certain things she asks me to do and try out... I can feel the difference when I'm playing on the court.' Loh hopes to make an impact at the Indoor Stadium, with the US$1 million (S$1.28 million) KFF Singapore Open offering significant prize money and ranking points. In the first round of the Super 750 event on May 27, he takes on the ninth-ranked Alex Lanier, while 22nd-ranked compatriot Jason Teh will meet China's world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yuqi. Women's singles world No. 12 Yeo Jia Min will face Thailand's 10th-ranked Busanan Ongbamrungphan, while the 28th-ranked Terry Hee and Jin Yujia play Indonesia's Rehan Kusharjanto and Gloria Widjaja in the mixed doubles on May 28. Loh said eighth seed Lanier is a 'buddy off court and we are going to 'kill' each other on court'. 'He's a tough opponent and a very good player who just won the European Championship, so he's definitely a strong challenger, and I look forward to playing with him. But he is seeded higher, so he should be the one who has the pressure,' added Loh, who is unseeded. While the Frenchman won their only previous encounter on tour – the 2024 Denmark Open quarter-final – by edging out the rubber game 24-22, Loh seems to have found a mental breakthrough lately, winning his last six three-game matches. These include extended affairs against Shi in the Asia Championships quarter-final and Taiwanese world No. 7 Chou Tien-chen in the Taipei Open final. But he recognises that more work needs to be done, saying: 'My goal is not to do well in just these few months. I want to be more and more consistent throughout the year and throughout multiple years.' 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.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
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. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Back to the drawing board for Terry Hee and Jin Yujia after first-round exit at S'pore Badminton Open
National mixed doubles Terry Hee (top) and Jin Yujia lost 21-14, 21-9 to Indonesians Rehan Kusharjanto and Gloria Widjaja in the KFF Singapore Badminton Open round of 32. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Back to the drawing board for Terry Hee and Jin Yujia after first-round exit at S'pore Badminton Open SINGAPORE – It is back to the drawing board for national mixed doubles badminton pair Terry Hee and Jin Yujia, as they suffered a first-round exit at the KFF Singapore Open following a 21-14, 21-9 loss to Indonesians Rehan Kusharjanto and Gloria Widjaja on May 28. This is the seventh consecutive tournament in which the world No. 27 duo, who started playing together only in November 2024, have been knocked out in the opening round of 32. Despite the support of the home crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Hee and Jin were unable to end the streak against their 26th-ranked Indonesian opponents, also a newly formed pair who made their competition debut at the Jan 28-Feb 2 Super 300 Thailand Masters. Jin, 28, said: 'This was definitely not our best performance. We were hoping to put up a better performance for all the Singaporeans. Unfortunately today, the win was not on our side and we have to reflect on what went wrong.' The match started on an even footing, but with the scores level at 4-4, the Indonesians began to pull ahead, going up 11-5 at the interval. Returning to the court, Hee and Jin narrowed the deficit briefly to 12-8, but the Indonesians regained the momentum to close out the first game 21-14. In the second game, Rehan and Gloria led throughout after building a 4-0 advantage. Quicker and sharper, the Indonesians closed out the match in 31 minutes, condemning the Singaporeans to another defeat. Reflecting on the Super 750 home event, Hee said: 'It's a very good platform and a very high-level tournament for us to gauge where we really are. Obviously we're not there yet, so we will need to work a lot harder.' The duo were paired together in late November as Hee's long-time playing partner and wife Jessica Tan was recovering from injuries. In April, Tan called time on a 14-year career to pursue further education. In their first outing, Hee and Jin had reached the semi-finals of the Guwahati Masters, before making it to the Odisha Masters final. Both are Super 100 tournaments. They won the Bangladesh International Challenge title in December 2024, their third competition together. But they have struggled in higher-level tournaments in 2025, with their best performance coming in January's India Open, where they made it to the round of 16. Hee, 29, said: 'The results have not been very good. For me, I will doubt myself and wonder what's going on. But that's an athlete's life, we have to push through and keep working hard for the day that may never come.' Jin also admitted that her morale has been affected, but noted that they are working with their coaches to improve, adding: 'But for us and our coaches, we try to focus on the process and dig deep into the problem instead of (focusing on) the win or loss.' Loh Kean Yew and Yeo Jia Min are now Singapore's remaining representatives in the US$1 million (S$1.29 million) tournament. Loh's campaign resumes on May 29, with the world No. 10 coming up against 16th-ranked Frenchman Toma Junior Popov in the round of 16 of the men's singles. World No. 11 Yeo will meet top-ranked An Se-young, the women's singles defending champion, in the last 16 on the same day. In other round-of-16 matches, Chinese world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi will meet American Zhang Beiwen after coming from behind to beat Indian teenager Unnati Hooda 13-21, 21-9, 21-15 on May 28. Akane Yamaguchi, Japan's world No. 3 and two-time world champion who beat Ukraine's Polina Buhrova 21-15, 21-13 in the first round, will face Chinese Taipei's Sung Shuo-yun next. In the men's singles, Thailand's world No. 2 and world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn will face China's Wang Zhengxing in the last 16 after defeating Japan's Kenta Nishimoto 21-13, 21-15. Former All England champions Li Shifeng from China and Indonesia's Jonatan Christie also advanced to the last 16 after winning their respective matches on May 28. World No. 4 Li beat Japan's Koki Watanabe 21-12, 21-14 to set up a meeting with Chinese Taipei's Lin Chun-yi, while world No. 5 Jonatan will come up against Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao after overcoming Ireland's Nhat Nguyen 23-21, 21-16. Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- 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.
