In the face of unrelenting criticism from online commentators, Singapore's badminton star Loh Kean Yew is demonstrating resilience at the India Open 2026. The former world champion has learned to tune out the negativity from "keyboard warriors," finding renewed focus and stability on the international circuit. This mental fortitude was evident as he secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Super 750 tournament.

Loh's journey has been far from easy. After his unexpected World Championship win in 2021, the weight of expectations led to inconsistent results and a barrage of online criticism. Speaking after his recent victory against world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Loh acknowledged the pressure, stating, "It's normal for people to expect more from me because I won the world championships, but they didn't know that before that, I hadn't actually won much".

The Singaporean shuttler's path to the semi-finals in New Delhi has been fraught with challenges beyond online criticism. During his round-of-16 match against H.S. Prannoy, play was disrupted twice due to bird droppings landing on the court. Despite these bizarre interruptions, Loh maintained his composure to secure the win. Several players have voiced their concerns regarding the conditions at the tournament, with Denmark's Anders Antonsen withdrawing due to "extreme pollution" in Delhi.

In a thrilling quarter-final match at the India Open 2026 on January 16, Loh Kean Yew defeated Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in three sets. This victory marked Loh's first win against Vitidsarn since 2015, ending an eight-match losing streak. The world number 10 emerged victorious against the second-ranked Thai player with scores of 14-21, 21-15, 21-17 in a 70-minute match.

Loh's coach emphasized the importance of a well-executed game plan, stating, "Kean Yew executed the game plan very well...I reminded him what Kunlavut's habits are, and urged him to be patient in the rallies and control the front court". This win propels Loh into his first Super 750 semi-final since 2023.

In the semi-final, Loh Kean Yew is set to face Indonesia's Jonatan Christie. Loh has lost all eight of their previous encounters. Looking ahead, Loh aims to prepare thoroughly and maintain complete focus.