BWF Thailand Open 2024: Antonsen and Loh fall in first round to shock defeats, Lee Zii Jia safely through to second round
Top seed Anders Antonsen and 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew were the two biggest names to fall in the opening round at badminton's 2024 BWF Toyota Thailand Open on Wednesday (15 May).
Antonsen, the world number four, was beaten in three games by world number 27 Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong China, who has only reached one semi-final on the BWF World Tour in the last two seasons.
Ng took a close opening game 21-18, and although Denmark's Antonsen levelled the match with a more dominant showing in the second 21-14, Ng won the last six points from 15-15 in the decider to take victory (21-18, 14-21, 21-15) in an hour and 15 minutes of play.
Meanwhile, Singaporean Loh's inconsistent form continued with defeat to Chinese Taipei's Wang Tzu-wei.
Despite winning the Madrid Spain Masters last time out on the tour circuit, seventh seed Loh put up little resistance against Wang, the world number 23.
The Singaporean was never really in the second game after losing his rhythm at the end of the first, falling 15-21, 13-21 in 39 minutes of play.
It means the top quarter of the draw in Bangkok is already without both its seeded players, and with fifth seed H.S. Prannoy also knocked out, just one seed – reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, seeded fourth – remains in the top half.
But there was good news for Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia, the sixth seed, in the bottom half of the draw.
Faciing People's Republic of China's Lei Lanxi in the first round after a late change in the draw, Lee booked his last-16 spot in a tight 21-17, 23-21 affair.
Lei actually led for a good amount of the first game before Lee rattled off eight straight points to come from behind.
The Malaysian looked to have the second game under control, but Lei staged a late fight-back and even edged ahead at 21-20 before Lee closed out the match.
He will next face Jeon Hyeok-Jin from Republic of Korea.
The final rounds from Bangkok are live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app (territorial restrictions may apply).
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