But on Sept 27, the 24-year-old kept his nerve and stayed sharp to earn the biggest win of his professional career. He defeated Hong Kong's world No. 16 and top seed Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-18, 21-16 in the Macau Open quarter-finals at the Macau East Asian Games Dome.
The seventh seed told The Straits Times: "Yes, I would say I have grown in my mental fortitude, but there is still a lot to improve on in order to match the world-class players.
"I feel happy because I could see progress during the competition. I was also brave enough to take him on and be more consistent with my playing style."
The world No. 44 will take on Hong Kong's 49th-ranked Jason Gunawan on Sept 28 for a place in the final of the US$210,000 (S$269,400) tournament.
The other semi-final will be contested between Hong Kong's world No. 25 Angus Ng and Indonesia's 47th-ranked Alwi Farhan.
Denne historien er fra September 28, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra September 28, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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EMBRACING A PACKED YEAR
Faris ready for most demanding term as AFF C’ship, more club matches loom
Reds' Alisson set to return for Wolves clash
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker will be available for the Sept 28 English Premier League game at Wolverhampton Wanderers, said manager Arne Slot, who was quick to praise his replacement Caoimhin Kelleher and the enviable depth of his squad overall.
HOWE AIMS TO REFLECT PROGRESS
Rescheduling gives Newcastle extra time to prepare for City after 'honest review' of defeat
More is expected from us, says Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta declined to directly respond to pundits' criticism of his team's mentality, but suggested that it was a sign that expectations of the Gunners have been raised.
STEWART'S LOSS, ALBIREX'S GAIN
Lion's fruitless hunt for a European club results in him boosting the SPL champions
Solanke on the up after scoring in Qarabag win
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said Dominic Solanke is gradually reaching the levels expected of him after the striker scored one and set up another in their 3-0 Europa League victory over Azerbaijan's Qarabag on Sept 26.
Ohtani 50-50 ball on auction despite dispute
The ball that Shohei Ohtani hit for his 50th home run will be up for auction beginning on Sept 27, despite a lawsuit filed the previous day by a Florida man who claims the souvenir was wrested from him.
Kipyegon without peer in inaugural women-only meet
Kenya's Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon took a victory lap with an easy win in the 1,500m at the inaugural women-only Athlos NYC meet on Sept 26, while Brittany Brown stunned Paris 200m gold medallist Gabrielle Thomas.
KIM 'POKED THE BEAR' AS U.S. SWEEP DAY 1
Americans off to perfect Presidents Cup start amid spat between Scheffler and Kim
Teh upsets Lee in Macau for best career victory
Often on the badminton court Jason Teh would build up a sizeable lead against his opponent, only to see it wasted in an agonising defeat.
