18-Year-Old Sensation Hu Zhean Shocks the Badminton World! 🏸
China's 18-year-old rising star Hu Zhean made headlines on Friday by defeating former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in straight sets at the inaugural King Cup in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province.
In a thrilling match that had fans on the edge of their seats, Hu claimed a 21-15, 21-15 victory over Loh, showcasing his incredible talent and fearlessness on the court.
\"I faced a very strong opponent at the start of this event, and I think we both performed well, but I was more decisive on some key points,\" Hu shared excitedly after the match. \"This is my first time competing against top players, so it was very difficult to win the match, and I am very excited!\"
The King Cup, backed by Chinese badminton legend Lin Dan, features only men's singles matches in its first edition. The elite lineup includes former world champions Loh Kean Yew and Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand, as well as Denmark's World No. 2 Anders Antonsen.
Hu's victory propels him into the semifinals, where he'll face India's Lakshya Sen. With his confidence skyrocketing, Hu is undoubtedly a player to watch!
In other action, France's Alex Lanier pulled off a comeback win against China's Wang Zijun. Wang, also 18, took the first game 21-15, but the 19-year-old Lanier battled back to win the next two sets, securing a 2-1 victory. Lanier now advances to face Antonsen in the semifinals.
The King Cup is heating up, and if these matches are any indication, we're in for some epic showdowns! 🌟
Reference(s):
China's Hu stuns former world champion Loh at King Cup Badminton Open
cgtn.com
