Badminton

Day of firsts for Singapore and India shuttlers

IT was a historic Friday for Singapore and India in badminton as they each achieved significant firsts in the men's singles event of the World Championships in Huelva, Spain.

Loh Kean Yew became the first Singaporean to reach the semi-finals when he defeated India's HS Prannoy 21-14, 21-12 in the quarter-finals on Friday.

The world No 22 is already assured a podium finish, a first for Singapore, regardless of the result of yesterday's semi-final match against Denmark's third seed Anders Antonsen,

"I didn't think I'd get a medal so soon. I'm happy I got a medal for Singapore.

"Against Prannoy, the key was to be aggressive and patient at the same time," said Kean Yew, who had upset world No 1 and Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in the first round.

Kean Yew has beaten several top players this year, including Japan's Kento Momota, Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen and his Malaysian rival, Lee Zii Jia, who had to retire from his quarter-final match against Antonsen due to an injury,

The Penang-born won his first career BWF World Tour Super 500 title at the Hylo Open last month. He also took the Dutch Open crown in October.

Kean Yew was lured by the Singapore BA when he was 12 with an offer of a scholarship at the Singapore Sports School.

India, meanwhile, assured a first-ever men's singles finallist when Lakshya Sen followed compatriot K. Srikanth into the semifinals.

Former world No 1 Srikanth thrashed Dutchman Mark Caljouw 21-8 21-7, while Lakshya overcame China's Zhao Jun Peng 21-15, 15-21, 22-20 in their respective quarter-final matches.

Lakshya showed composure and maturity to bounce back when Jun Peng held match point.

The world No 19 held his nerves to force deuce before taking the next two points for the victory.

"It was a tough and close match, so it feels good to win it. Credit to my Chinese opponent as he played well at a good pace," said Lakshya, who took on Srikanth late yesterday.

"I am just happy to reach the semi-finals here. Coming into this tournament, I was only thinking of the first round. From there, it was only about the next match."

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