Loh Kean Yew Triumphs in Marathon Men’s Singles Clash
Loh Kean Yew stages a stunning comeback to defeat Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 14-21, 21-19, 24-22 in a 93-minute thriller on Day 2 of the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships. The former world champion saves three match points before clinching victory on his second opportunity, mirroring their recent encounters.
“I knew I would be happy to win that match,” Loh says. “He was celebrating a lot before the match was over, so I thought I could celebrate since I had won. It was just for fun. But I am happy to win the match; it was a close match and could have gone either way.”
Men’s Singles Upsets and Key Wins
2024 champion Jonatan Christie overcomes Jia Heng Jason Teh in three games, winning 21-11, 10-21, 21-15. Kunlavut Vitidsarn dominates Lu Guang Zu 21-15, 21-10, eyeing his first All England title.
Women’s Singles Surprises
Fifth seed Han Yue falls to Japan’s Riko Gunji 20-22, 21-17, 21-18. Gunji next faces compatriot Tomoka Miyazaki, who edges Nozomi Okuhara 15-21, 21-15, 21-14. Second seed Wang Zhi Yi cruises past Hina Akechi 21-15, 21-15, seeking to improve on last year’s final loss.
Women’s Doubles Shocks
European champions Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva stun seventh seeds Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min of China 21-15, 21-17. “We come from a country where badminton is not so popular; we push so much on court and try to get past good players to put our names on the top of the list and in the world rankings,” Gabriela states.
Stefani adds: “It is really amazing because we are the only doubles players from Bulgaria now. We hope that in the next few years we can see more players from Bulgaria coming to this big stage and these big tournaments.”
Second seeds Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan dispatch experienced Arisa Igarashi and Chiharu Shida 21-19, 21-13. The Japanese pair boasts five All England titles combined.
Men’s Doubles Drama
Debutants Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai upset fourth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 23-21, 21-12. “When I was small, I wanted to play in the All England and now I am here,” Kang says. “We wanted to communicate at every point and every match and just do our best.”
Second seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik advance 21-17, 21-17. Christo and Toma Junior Popov, fresh from men’s singles wins, crush seventh seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 21-12, 21-12.
Mixed Doubles Seeds Prevail
Defending champions Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui rally from a game down to beat Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien 17-21, 21-12, 21-9. They face Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Julie MacPherson, who secure their first win over Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund 21-19, 14-21, 21-9.
“It is the most prestigious tournament; everyone wants to do well, and it is no different for us,” Dunn remarks. “We have family down, which is amazing; you could hear our mums and dads screaming, and it makes that victory mean that little bit more.”
Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie eliminate England’s Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen 21-14, 21-12, leaving Dunn and MacPherson as Britain’s last hope.
