BWF Korea Open 2023: Loh Kean Yew into semi-finals
Singapore's star shuttler has reached his second semi-final of the 2023 season after eliminating Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong. Yamaguchi Akane, An Seyoung and Chen Yufei also advance to semis.
Badminton
Loh Kean Yew has reached his second semi-final of the 2023 season at the 2023 BWF Korea Open in Yeosu, Republic of Korea.
Singapore's badminton star fought off Malaysia's unseeded Ng Tze Yong 22-20, 21-19 on Friday (21 July).
After eliminating Zhao Junpeng (People's Republic of China) on Thursday (20 July) 21-19, 17-21, 21-6, the 2021 world champion had to dig down deep once again.
It was a close affair from the start. Ng opened up a 17-14 lead but Loh levelled things at 17-17 eventually converting his third game point to take the opener 22-20.
The second game was equally tight. Ng had a 15-12 advantage and could not close it out.
Next up for Loh is top seed Naraoka Kodai. The Japanese beat Lee Cheuck Yiu 21-17, 21-18 to move on.
Loh's best performance this season came at the Asia Championships where he lost in the final to Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
In the women's draw, top seed Yamaguchi Akane (Japan) fought off Kim Ga Eun (Republic of Korea) 21-17, 19-21, 21-12.
Second seed An Seyoung (Republic of Korea) ousted her teammate Sim Yu Jin 21-7, 21-6 to set up a semi-final meeting with Chen Yufei (People's Republic of China).