SINGAPORE – National shuttler Loh Kean Yew recorded a 24-22, 21-14 win over All-England champion Lee Zii Jia to progress to the French Open’s round of 16 on Wednesday (Oct 28).
This is the world No. 40’s first victory over his childhood rival – both were born in Malaysia – at senior level in five attempts. The Singaporean’s defeat of the Malaysian world No. 8 comes 12 years after he beat him to clinch the 2009 National Junior Grand Prix Under-12 crown in Seremban.
The pair had also met in the 2019 SEA Games final, with the Malaysian emerging a 21-18, 21-18 winner.
Loh will take on India’s world No. 22 Lakshya Sen for a place in the men’s singles quarter-finals at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris. The duo had met in the Dutch Open final on Oct 17, with the Singaporean emerging with his sixth international title.
On Tuesday, Singapore’s top female shuttler Yeo Jia Min also advanced to the French Open’s last 16 after beating Belgium’s world No. 38 Lianne Tan 21-16, 21-9 in 33 minutes.
The world No. 31 will face Indonesia’s world No. 22 Gregoria Mariska Tunjung on Thursday.
