National badminton player Loh Kean Yew saw off a challenge from a rising Japanese star to book his spot in the last 16 of the China Open. Loh, ranked 11th in the world, claimed a 2-1 win over Japan’s world number 30 Yushi Tanaka in a round-of-32 match held at the Changzhou Olympics Sports Centre on 18 September. This is the first time the pair have played each other.
Background
In August, former badminton world champion Loh achieved a personal milestone by making it to the knockout round of the Paris Olympics. It is the furthest he had progressed in the tournament. However, after losing to world number 2 and eventual winner Viktor Axelsen in the Olympic quarter-finals, Loh has struggled to find form. He previously suffered two first-round defeats in successive tournaments, the Japan Open and Hong Kong Open, both to lower-ranked opponents.
Hard-fought match
Tanaka, who had shot up the rankings from 56th at the start of the year, did not give Loh an easy time. The pair were level at 17-17 in the first game before Loh took the next four points to clinch it 21-17. Tanaka then took the second game with the same scoreline, 21-17. In the deciding third game, Loh wore down Tanaka with a variety of attacks, before eventually taking the game 21-12. Loh will face either Denmark’s world number 4 Anders Antonsen or Hong Kong’s world number 21 Angus Ng in the round of 16.
Recent performance
Loh’s recent performance has been a rollercoaster. He cruised into round two of the BWF China Open men’s singles courtesy of a 21-14, 21-17 victory over France’s Christo Popov on 5 September. It was a welcome win for the 2021 world champion, who is desperate for a good showing after a disappointing round of 16 elimination at the World Championships last month.
Future implications
Loh’s victory over Tanaka could mark a turning point in his recent struggles. A strong performance in the China Open could boost his confidence and ranking, setting the stage for future successes. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Loh can maintain his momentum and reclaim his place among the world’s badminton elite.
