KFF Singapore Badminton Open 2025: Team Singapore Shuttlers Remain Motivated and Embrace Tough Opening Tests

Team Singapore's shuttlers shared about facing top seeds in their opening rounds, and how they hope to fair at this year's KFF Singapore Badminton Open set to begin tomorrow

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / DAVID JOSEPH

The KFF Singapore Badminton Open 2025 (KFF SBO) is set to once again deliver world-class action, with the official draw unveiling a slate of exciting matchups and key tests for Singapore’s top shuttlers. Held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 27 May to 1 June, the US$ 1 million tournament is a key stop on the BWF World Tour Super 750 series, attracting the world’s best shuttlers to the Lion City.

Local Men’s Singles Stars Draw Top Seeds in First Round

World No. 10 Loh Kean Yew will open his campaign against European Champion and world No. 9 Alex Lanier, in a rematch of their three-game thriller at the 2024 Denmark Open, where the young French star edged past Loh 21-18, 15-21, 24-22.

Should Loh advance, he is on course to face either Japan’s Yushi Tanaka or France’s Toma Junior Popov in the Round of 16. Loh holds a 1–0 head-to-head record against Tanaka and a commanding 5–0 record against Popov.

Loh said: “It’s going to be challenging, because we’re up against the very best in the world here. But playing at home in Singapore is always special. The cheers from the crowd lift me, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.”

At last year's edition of SBO, Loh was the last Singaporean standing after making it to the quarter-finals, where he ultimately fell to Li Shi Feng. He had defeated Lu Guangzu in the opening game, before delivering an electrifying performance against Anders Antonsen in the Round of 16.  

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

Jason Teh, ranked world No. 22, faces a daunting first-round test against defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi. The two previously met at the 2023 Sudirman Cup, where Shi prevailed in straight games. Teh will be looking to turn the tables this time, backed by home support and with more valuable experience on the world stage under his belt since their last encounter. Teh is competing at the Malaysia Masters Super 500 this week.

"We have to stay consistent from the first point to the last because if you lose focus in between rallies, you'll be caught off guard and against world-class players like Shi Yu Qi, you'll lose points very easily," said the 24-year-old at the pre-tournament press conference held on Monday (26 May) morning.

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / DAVID JOSEPH

"Through my previous matches, I've learned that you have to stick to a certain intensity and I need to build all of this in training and even through losses against these top players. This week, against Shi Yu Qi, it'll be a good a good experience for me so I'll just give my all and challenge him."  

Yeo Gears Up for Tough Fight Ahead

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / DAVID JOSEPH

Singapore’s top women’s singles player, Yeo Jia Min, ranked world No. 12, will face Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the opening round, with their head-to-head record evenly split at 3-3. Yeo won their most recent meeting in straight games at the China Open last September.

A win would see Yeo take on defending champion, Olympic gold medalist, and world No. 1 An Se Young, who is aiming for a third consecutive Singapore Open title. Also featuring in the top half of the draw is last year’s finalist and reigning Badminton Asia Championships winner Chen Yu Fei, setting the stage for potential mouthwatering clashes later in the tournament.

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

“It’s no doubt a tough draw, but I am prepared to give my best for all the Singaporean fans who are here to support us,” said Yeo.

New Pairings Face Off in Mixed Doubles Showdown

In the mixed doubles, Singapore’s newly formed duo Terry Hee Yong Kai and Jin Yujia, ranked world No. 28, will take on Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, another recently formed pair. 

It’s set to be a closely contested encounter, with the local pair facing opponents who have already made their mark in 2025 by winning the Polish Open and reaching the quarterfinals of the All England Open. The Indonesians are currently ranked world No. 27.

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / DAVID JOSEPH

"I never really focused on the ranking to be honest, but more of the process and the chemistry between me and Yujia. I think there's still much to work on," shared Hee at the press conference.

"For me, there was a big change in the whole game plan in terms of the game's dynamics," shared Yujia, who previously competed in women's doubles with Crystal Wong.

"How you approach every shot is different in mixed doubles, compared to women's doubles. I think I'm still figuring it out and there's much to come."

Read more about Hee and Yujia's career as partners so far in our feature, written for with Kallang Alive Sports Management, here.

The KFF SBO begins tomorrow at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, with matches slated to begin at 10am.

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