Badminton: Loh Kean Yew books spot in knockout stages at Paris Olympics, will face China's world number 6 Li

PARIS: As his parents watched on at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, Loh Kean Yew booked his spot in the men's singles knockout rounds after a 21-13, 21-16 win over El Salvador's world-ranked 50 Uriel Canjura on Wednesday (Jul 31).

"I'm happy to have them here. They are not young anymore so it's good that they are able to enjoy a lot more things than they did in the past when they were taking care of us," Loh told reporters after.

Singapore's world number 12 had to work for the win though, as Canjura pegged him back 13-13 in the first game before Loh would reel off eight consecutive points.

Canjura would take a 11-9 lead going into the interval of the second game, but Loh would keep his cool and see the game out.

"He played very well," said Loh who faced Canjura for the first time in his career. "He was very all-rounded."

The win meant Loh topped his qualification group, after beating Czech Republic's Jan Louda on Sunday. 

The 27-year-old is the first men's singles player to progress to the round of 16 at the Olympics since Ronald Susilo in 2004. Susilo was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

"I've never made it to the knockout rounds (at the Olympics). So I think it's an achievement," said Loh. 

"Hopefully I'll be able to go for more rounds. Every game going forward is a game closer to a medal."

Loh will next face China's Li Shifeng on Thursday. While the Singaporean has a 4-2 head to head record against Li, the world number six has beaten Loh in their last two encounters.

Former world champion Loh made his Games debut at the last edition of the Olympics in Tokyo where he was eliminated in the group stages.

He will also have compatriot Yeo Jia Min for company in the knockout stages. World number 20 Yeo had won both