Commonwealth Games 2022: Singapore badminton star Loh Kean Yew sets up quarter-final clash with Ng Tze Yong
The reigning world champion was on a different level to Alexandre Bongout in Birmingham, beating the Mauritian in straight games in their round-of-16 clash.
Badminton
Badminton star Loh Kean Yew is through to the men's singles quarter-finals of the 2022 Commonwealth Games after a powerful win on Friday (5 August).
A sizeable crowd gathered at Birmingham's NEC to watch the Singaporean world champion dispatch Alexandre Bongout in their round-of-16 clash 21-13, 21-10.
Loh was aggressive and accurate from the off, bamboozling the Mauritian with powerful overhead strokes, and a superior variation of shots.
The No.1 seed is hoping to win his maiden title at a multi-sport event, and is the first reigning men's singles world champion to compete in a Commonwealth Games competition.
More to follow.
READ MORE: How learning from an Olympic champion helped Loh Kean Yew to world domination
On course for Ng Tze Yong showdown
It's been a mixed tournament for Loh so far, who lost to Lakshya Sen in the mixed team event before helping Singapore win bronze on Tuesday.
In singles, he enjoyed a bye in the opening round before beating Robert Summers from South Africa in straight games in the round of 32.
Loh's first real challenge of the tournament will now come in the form of Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong in the quarter-finals. Should he clear the fifth seed, there could be a rematch of the last World Championship final against Kidambi Srikanth. The Indian, who won silver at the 2018 edition of the Games, will be buoyed by his recent Thomas Cup victory and would provide a stern examination.
If the Singaporean prevails, a mouth-watering rematch in the form of second seed Sen would likely await.
Despite the likes of Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia not taking part in the tournament, the competition remains too tight to call at this stage.
READ MORE: Loh Kean Yew becomes Singapore’s first badminton world champion
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games : How to watch
Singapore sports fans will be able to catch Loh Kean Yew in action at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on multiple platforms offered by local broadcaster, Mediacorp.
Viewers can enjoy free coverage of the event on digital entertainment service meWATCH, Mediacorp's free-to-air Channel 5 and YouTube.
Coverage in the host country is available on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), with events live on BBC1 and BBC2 Television channels, with all events streaming on the iPlayer and BBC website.