Singapore's Loh Kean Yew knocked out in first round of Badminton Asia Championships by Japan's Nishimoto

SINGAPORE: World No 10 Loh Kean Yew was eliminated from the Badminton Asia Championships after suffering a first-round loss in the men's singles to Japan's Kenta Nishimoto on Wednesday (Apr 10).

The 26-year-old Singaporean went into the tournament in China with momentum on his side, having won the Spain Masters just over a week ago. It was his first title since clinching the 2021 World Championships crown.

At the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre in China on Wednesday, Loh got off to a promising start by taking the first game 21-18.

But world No 12 Nishimoto levelled the tie with a 21-18 reply. 

In the deciding game, the Japanese took the early lead and never looked back, finishing off Loh 21-17 to earn a round-of-16 meeting with second-ranked Shi Yu Qi of China on Thursday.

The defeat marked a disappointing result for Loh, who became the first Singaporean to win a silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships a year ago. He lost to Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in the 2023 final.

In the women's singles, Singapore's Yeo Jia Min, ranked 19th in the world, will face ninth-ranked Wang Zhi Yi of China on Thursday in the round of 16.

Yeo's opponent in the previous round, Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong, withdrew from the competition.

Singapore's mixed doubles pair Terry Hee and Jessica Tan, ranked 19th in the world, face China's top-ranked Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong.

They had earlier beaten Taiwan's Chang Ko-chi and Lee Chih-chen 21-19, 21-9.