Loh Boosted By Crowd

S'porean says home fans helped him clinch comeback victory over Popov

- David Lee

On a day for dark horses, Singapore's Loh Kean Yew bucked the trend to keep local hopes up as he staged a late rally to prevail 21-12, 14-21, 21-18 against 16th-ranked Toma Junior Popov of France in their men's singles last-16 match at the US$1 million (S$1.29 million) KFF Singapore Open on May 29.

The world No. 10, who slid on his knees in relief and exhilaration after recovering from 11-16 down to win the decider, said: "I agree I wasn't at my best in the last two games and it was hard to control the draught and the shuttle today. Toma was playing very well, so it was hard to play against him.

"I was pretty lucky at the end. I don't know exactly what I did, but I just did what I could to win every point. I thought, 'What's the worst that could happen? I'll just get scolded here and there'. So I just tried.

"It was more of the fighting spirit and the crowd boosting me. I think it affected him a little bit, especially at the end when they kept chanting my name. The nerves were there and it was crucial."

The home favourite had already overcome one Frenchman in ninth-ranked Alex Lanier in the opening round, and will meet another one in the May 30 quarter-finals when he faces 23-year-old Christo Popov, who is Toma Junior's younger brother and ranked 23rd.