SINGAPORE – Regardless of dropping 21-15, 19-21, 21-14 to Japanese world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi within the second spherical of the Indonesia Open on Thursday (Nov 25), the Republic’s prime feminine shuttler Yeo Jia Min had good motive to be upbeat.
The world No. 18 has performed sufficient to change into the primary Singaporean to qualify for the season-ending Badminton World Federation World Tour Finals. The occasion may also be held on the Bali Worldwide Conference Centre from Dec 1-5.
The US$1.5 million (S$2.05 million) World Tour Finals will function the highest eight singles and doubles gamers with probably the most BWF World Tour factors in a calendar 12 months.
Following a string of wonderful outcomes that embrace a runner-up end on the BWF World Tour Tremendous 500 Hylo Open in Germany, which additionally led to her career-high world rating, Yeo is projected to complete ninth on the Street to Bali rankings.
With every nation allowed to subject a most of solely two gamers on the World Tour Finals, the 22-year-old will transfer previous two of the 4 Thais forward of her within the rankings to qualify because the seventh seed.
There are not any extra gamers left within the ongoing US$850,000 Indonesia Open, which is a tier under the Finals, who can overtake Yeo within the rankings.
Singapore Badminton Affiliation chief government officer Alan Ow mentioned: “It is a unbelievable achievement for Singapore badminton, and we’re pleased with Jia Min for creating historical past.
“Singapore has lots of gifted shuttlers. Hopefully Jia Min’s feat evokes them and offers them confidence that we’re capable of compete on the world stage.
“Jia Min and (Loh) Kean Yew have gained priceless expertise from the final Olympics and this may be seen of their current performances. It is necessary that they sustain this degree of consistency and hold bettering as we work in direction of Paris 2024.”
World No. 26 Loh is scheduled to tackle Japan’s world No. 1 Kento Momota within the Indonesia Open for a spot within the quarter-finals, and must win to maintain alive his slim hopes of constructing it to the Tour Finals.