SINGAPORE: Loh Kean Yew, a former world champion, defeated world number 1 Shi Yu Qi on Friday ( Apr 11 ) to reach the men’s singles semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Championships.
The Taiwanese world number 17 defeated the home-town favorite and leading plant 21-19, 13-21, 21-16, in a match at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium.
In a small opening game, Loh went up 10-11 at the break, but he capitalized on several errors from Shi to take the lead.
However, the second story was distinct because a strong Shi upped the intensity and took an 11-1 lead. While the Singaporean reduced the debt, his rival built up too much of a guide to cause concern.
As Loh raced to an 11-3 result in the judge with Shi looking worn-out, he was ready to take the result.
Loh withstanded the wind and came out on top, narrowing the gap to three factors.
Since winning the French Open in 2023, Loh’s primary win over Shi came in this match.
In the All-England quarter-finals earlier this year, Loh was knocked out by Shi, who would ultimately win the championship. Shi even won the Malaysian Open in January.
Loh’s best performance of the year came in a loss to Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen at the German Open next quarter.