Badminton News: Former men’s singles winner Loh Kean Yew of Singapore has made a strong start to the World Championships, but can he finish the competition clear?
For now, 26-year-old Loh Kean Yew isn’t thinking too far ahead as he only wants to focus on the next game.
Yesterday he started the tournament in fierce fashion against great rival Pablo Abian of Spain as he qualified for the second round in Copenhagen with an impressive 21-12, 21-9 win in 28 minutes.
Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion, also started his tournament in Tokyo last year with a straight victory over Spaniard Abian.
“It’s the same opponent but all different. Last year I played against him but I don’t remember how the match went. Pablo is a fun player (on the pitch) and I always enjoy playing (with him),” said Kean Yew, who lost in the quarter-finals last year.
“Every tournament I play is different, so I focus on every point and also get used to the pitch.”
Loh Kean Yew should also have an easy second-round encounter against Azerbaijan’s Adi Reski Dwicahayo tomorrow.
Things will get even tougher afterwards as he is grouped in the same quarter with seeded Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, ninth seeded HS Prannoy of India and 10th seeded Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan. .
Prannoy, who was a quarter-finalist last year, also got off to a positive start beating Finland’s Kalle Koljonen 24-22, 21-10 in his opening match.
Prannoy, who was runner-up at the Australian Open two weeks ago, will likely face Kean Yew in the third round.
Tien-chen, who last appeared at a major event in Copenhagen in 2014, advanced to the second round after beating Guatamala’s Kevin Cordon 21-16, 21-9.
Tien-chen lost to young Axelsen in the first round in 2014, but the Taiwanese could meet the world No. 1 again in a possible third-round clash this time around.
Tien-chen will face American Howard Shu, who beat Nigerian Anouluwapo Opeyori 21-18, 13-21, 21-19 in the second round.
Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the only player capable of toppling defending champion Axelsen, also qualified with a 21-16, 21-14 win over Brazilian Jonathan Matias.
Article tags: Loh Kean Yew, Viktor Axelsen, HS Prannoy, Pablo Abian, BWF World Championships 2023
