SINGAPORE – Nationwide shuttler Loh Kean Yew has slain the most important large within the badminton world as he beat Denmark’s world No. 1 and Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen 14-21, 21-9, 21-6 within the first spherical of the Badminton World Federation World Championships in 54 minutes on Monday (Dec 13).
The Singaporean world No. 22 obtained off to a poor begin in Huelva, Spain, happening 5-0 within the first sport and whereas he fought again to 11-10, his opponent – the 2017 world champion – used his 1.94-metre body to impose higher court docket protection and take down the opening body.
Nonetheless, Loh roared again after that with aggressive play, very good studying and pin-point ending to document his first win over Axelsen in 5 makes an attempt and inflict on the Dane solely his fourth defeat in 65 matches this 12 months.
Mentioned Loh: “I’m delighted to lastly beat Viktor after 5 tries. I simply stored making an attempt and by no means stopped believing.
“It has been a busy finish to the season for all of us. Viktor is an outstanding participant and he’ll come again even stronger, whereas I must get well properly and keep centered to try to go so far as I can.”
The 24-year-old will meet Austria’s world No. 93 Luka Wraber within the second spherical on Wednesday.
It has been a powerful finish to 2021 for Loh, who surged 21 locations in eight weeks to crack the highest 20 earlier than settling in his present place.
In addition to capturing the Dutch Open and Hylo Open titles previously two months, he additionally claimed the scalps of Japan’s then-world No. 1 Kento Momota (Indonesia Open), Malaysia’s world No. 7 and All England champion Lee Zii Jia (French Open) and Chinese language Taipei’s world No. 4 Chou Tien-chen (Hylo Open).
In the meantime, after receiving a first-round bye, compatriot and girls’s world No. 16 Yeo Jia Min will play Scotland’s world No. 21 Kirsty Gilmour within the second spherical of the BWF World Championships on Tuesday.
The winner of this match is projected to satisfy world No. 1 Tai Tzu-ying within the subsequent spherical, if the Taiwanese beats Russia’s world No. 27 Evgeniya Kosetskaya.