SINGAPORE: World number 7 Loh Kean Yew was eliminated from the BWF World Championships on Thursday (Aug 24) after falling to India’s HS Prannoy in the men’s singles round of 16.
In Copenhagen, Denmark, world number 9 Prannoy took the victory 21-18, 15-21, 21-19 in 69 minutes. This is Prannoy’s fourth career victory in five career meetings with the Singaporean.
Loh had mounted a stirring comeback in the rubber game from 4-11 down to lead 16-14. But the experienced Prannoy kept his cool to advance to the quarterfinals.
He will either face world number 1 and current Olympic champion, Viktor Axelsen or Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen.
Earlier in the tournament, Loh beat world-ranked 85 Pablo Abian, and world number 75 Ade Resky Dwicahyo.
Loh was crowned world champion 2021, after going on the fairytale run which saw him upset a number of higher-ranked players, including Olympic and current world champion Viktor Axelsen. But he has yet to clinch a title since then.
Loh’s best finish in 2023 was the Korea Open finals where he was beaten by Denmark’s Anders Antonsen.