Shocking Upsets in Thailand Open 2024 as Top Seeds Fall Early
Leon To
Fri May 17 2024
The Thailand Open 2024 witnessed a string of surprising defeats as three top male singles seeds, including Anders Antonsen, Prannoy H. S., and Loh Kean Yew, crashed out in the first round on May 15. These upsets have set the stage for an unpredictable tournament.
The biggest upset came from Prannoy's loss to Meiraba Luwang Maisnam, who had never won a BWF World Tour match before. Maisnam, unfazed by the occasion, displayed confidence throughout the match, clinching victory at 21-19, 21-18. The 21-year-old Maisnam expressed his eagerness for the upcoming battles and emphasized the importance of consistent training to improve further.
Meanwhile, Ng Ka Long Angus achieved his first victory over Antonsen after four previous encounters. Capitalizing on Antonsen's error-prone performance, Angus secured a hard-fought win at 21-18, 14-21, 21-15 in 75 minutes. Angus highlighted his satisfaction at overcoming Antonsen, acknowledging the significance of his long-awaited victory against a seeded player.
Singapore's Loh Kean Yew was also a casualty of the early rounds, falling to Wang Tzu Wei in a 21-15, 21-13 defeat, halting his four-match winning streak since 2019. Wang Tzu Wei credited his success to controlling the pace of the game and capitalizing on Loh's movements, ultimately outplaying him with strategic shot selections and minimizing errors.
The unexpected early exits of the top seeds at the Thailand Open 2024 have added an element of unpredictability to the tournament, showcasing the intense competition and resilience of underdogs in the badminton world. As the event progresses, fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling matches and potential upsets.