SINGAPORE: At the Denmark Open 2023, former world champion Loh Kean Yew scored another victory, defeating Anders Antonsen in the second round on Thursday (Oct 19) 21-19, 21-19 in a game that lasted 53 minutes. This means Loh sailed through to the quarter-finals at the Arena Fyn in Odense, where this year’s tournament is being held from Oct 17 to 22.
Loh Kean Yew 🇸🇬 raises the bar against star Anders Antonsen 🇩🇰.#BWFWorldTour #DenmarkOpen2023 pic.twitter.com/XiIyfkGham
— BWF (@bwfmedia) October 20, 2023
The Denmark Open, formerly known as the Danish Open, has a total prize money of US$850,000 (S$1,163,206). Loh’s next opponent is China’s Shi Yu Qi, with the match scheduled for Friday evening (Oct 20) Singapore time.
Shi is currently ranked number four globally, while Loh is ranked ninth. On Tuesday (Oct 17) Loh scored a big win after losing the first set against Japan’s Naraoka Kodai, currently ranked third in the world, 19-21, 21-6, 21-19, in a game that lasted one hour and 20 minutes.
“The opening game was an extremely tight affair, with neither shuttler wanting to give anything away. Ultimately, Loh managed to get a 20-17 lead, converting his third game point to take the opener. The second period was equally tight, with the 2021 world champion initially taking the lead, going into the mid-game interval at 11-8,” wrote olympics.com of the match between Loh and Denmark’s Antonsen.
Nevertheless, it added that “Antonsen showed remarkable determination” in spite of an injury which caused him to withdraw from the semi-finals at the Arctic Open last week. Loh is said to have played with “a more aggressive” style that allowed him to regain momentum after the Danish player had managed to tie the game in the second set.
“Kean Yew was able to both be patient and take the initiative against an opponent who is strong in controlling the play at the front. He was ready for Anders’ key shots such as the clip smash and net play, and made him uncomfortable with good variation. He will need to continue to be clear in his game plan and control the momentum of the match,” national singles head coach Kelvin Ho is quoted as saying in The Straits Times on Oct 20.
Meanwhile, a foot injury caused Viktor Axelsen, Denmark’s world number one, to withdraw from his game against Malaysia’s Lee Zia Jia, ranked 11th in the world. The top-seeded Axelsen had been heavily favoured to win the men’s singles at the Denmark Open.
We wish Viktor Axelsen 🇩🇰 a speedy recovery. 🙏#BWFWorldTour #DenmarkOpen2023 pic.twitter.com/Rv2gl4zdFQ
— BWF (@bwfmedia) October 19, 2023
“I am disappointed I cannot compete today. I love playing in Odense and in front of the Danish audience, but it wouldn’t be safe for me to play. I hope to start my rehabilitation quickly and effectively so I can get back on court as soon as possible,” said Axelsen after he withdrew from the match with Lee.
/TISG
Loh Kean Yew scores big win over world no. 3 Naraoka Kodai in Danish Open