Loh Kean Yew beats world No 4 Antonsen, through to Singapore Open badminton quarters

SINGAPORE: Singapore's top male badminton player Loh Kean Yew defeated world No 4 Anders Antonsen in 70 minutes on Thursday (May 30) to book a spot in the men’s singles quarterfinals at the Singapore Open .

In a pulsating round-of-16 encounter at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Loh took the first game 21-15. But Antonsen levelled things up 21-11 in the second to send the match to a final game.

Despite taking a 18-12 lead in the decider, world No 12 Loh allowed the Dane to creep back into the game, and had to hold off a late challenge from fourth seed Antonsen who tied things up 20-20.

The Singaporean steadied his nerves just when it mattered to take the win 22-20, the delight of the home crowd.

This is Loh’s fourth win in six encounters against Antonsen.

Loh is the only Singaporean left standing in the competition after top women’s singles player Yeo Jia Min and the mixed doubles pair of Terry Hee and Jessica Tan were eliminated in the opening round.

The 26-year-old overcame China’s Lu Guangzu 25-27, 21-15, 21-5 in the opening round on Tuesday.

He will next face Lu’s compatriot, world No 6 Li Shi Feng, in the quarterfinals on Friday.