Bangkok: Taiwanese badminton player Chou Tien Chen defeated Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew in the final of the 2024 Thailand Masters on Sunday to win his first title in 2024. Chou said he did not expect to win his first title of the year in Thailand, and this victory was very helpful in earning him the Olympic qualification points.
Highlights of Chou Tien Chen vs. Loh Kean Yew in the 2024 Thailand Masters final:
In the men’s singles final, Taiwan’s world no. 14 Chou Tien Chen faced world no. 12 Loh Kean Yew, who won the World Championship gold medal in 2021. The two have met six times before, each winning three times. The last encounter was at the year-end finals in 2022, where Chou Tien Chen lost in straight sets.
After a tough battle lasting 62 minutes, Chou Tien Chen defeated Loh Kean Yew 21-16, 6-21, 21-16 in the 2024 Thailand Masters final.
In an interview after the match, Chou said it was a very difficult game against Loh. Loh Kean Yew is very powerful and can suppress him with speed, making the confrontation very challenging. He acknowledged that his performance in the previous few tournaments in 2024 was not very good, but he maintained confidence and stamina, persisting until the end.
In the third game, Chou Tien Chen initially fell behind 4-6, but he quickly caught up and led all the way to win the championship. Chou Tien Chen said Loh Kean Yew is a very tenacious player, so the key to victory is to fight for every point, persisting until the last point. He also mentioned that he deliberately let go of the technical aspects in the second game and successfully implemented the tactics in the third game.
This victory is crucial for Chou Tien Chen in his quest for Olympic qualification points.
“Especially in terms of confidence,” said Chou.
Last year, he didn’t win a championship until the end of the year, and his performance at the beginning of this year was not particularly good.
“I am slowly adjusting, and always looking for areas to improve and supplement after each loss. Results may not come quickly, but this time, I can see the progress and will continue to work hard,” added Chou.
For Loh Kean Yew, after losing in the final of 2022 India Open final, and the 2023 Korea Open final, this marks his third defeat in a BWF World Tour final since becoming a world champion in 2021, continuing his championship drought for over 777 days.
In men’s doubles, China’s world no. 16 He Ji Ting/Ren Xiang Yu beat Thailand’s world no. 76 Peeratchai Sukphun/Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 16-21, 21-14, 21-13 to win the Thailand Masters title.
