Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew Sweep Past Cheah-Su in Straight Sets to Reach Singapore Open Men’s Doubles Semifinals
Singapore, May 20, 2024 — Liang Wei Keng and Wang Changyew defeated Cheah Yee See and Su Wei Cong 21-15, 21-15 in the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open on Monday, advancing to their second men’s doubles semifinal of the BWF World Tour in as many weeks. The Malaysian pair now face either top seeds Marcus Ellis and Paul Lane or third seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in Thursday’s semifinals.
How Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew Won: A Quarterfinal Breakdown
The match followed a familiar script for the Malaysian duo, who dominated from the opening rally. According to official BWF match reports, Liang-Wei Keng and Wang Changyew opened with a 7-1 lead and never looked back, capitalizing on Cheah-Su’s slower start. The pair’s aggressive net play—particularly on the forehand side—forced multiple errors from their opponents in the first game.
Wang Changyew, who turned 21 on Sunday, was particularly sharp at the net, converting 6 of 8 smashes in the opening game. “We knew we had to be patient in the first game,” Liang Wei Keng told reporters after the match. “But once we got into our rhythm, it was hard for them to adjust.” The second game saw the Malaysians tighten their defense, holding serve at 10-9 before closing out the match with a 13-5 run.
Key statistics (BWF match tracking):
- Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew: 70% first-serve return points won
- Cheah-Su: 28 unforced errors (14 in the first game)
- Liang-Wei Keng’s forehand clears: 9 of 12 successful (highest in the match)
- Wang Changyew’s net shots: 12 of 14 converted (87% success rate)
Why This Victory Matters: Context for Liang-Wei Keng and Wang Changyew
This win marks the second time in three tournaments that Liang-Wei Keng and Wang Changyew have reached a BWF World Tour semifinal. They followed up their semifinal appearance at the Malaysia Open—where they lost to eventual champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik—with a strong showing in Singapore.
For the pair, the tournament has been a test of consistency after a mixed start to 2024. While they won the Indonesia Open in February, they struggled in the All England Open, losing in the quarterfinals. “We’ve been working hard to refine our doubles rhythm,” Liang Wei Keng said. “Singapore is a good proving ground for that.”
Their semifinal berth also puts pressure on their opponents in Thursday’s match. Marcus Ellis and Paul Lane, the top seeds, have been dominant in 2024, winning their last three tournaments. Meanwhile, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik—who defeated Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew in Malaysia—are looking to extend their winning streak.
What Happens Next: The Road to the Singapore Open Final
The semifinals will take place on Thursday, May 23, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The match times (local Singapore time, UTC+8) are as follows:
| Match | Time (SGT/UTC+8) | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinal 1: Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew vs. Marcus Ellis/Paul Lane or Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik | 14:00 | 06:00 |
| Semifinal 2: [Opponent TBD] | 14:00 | 06:00 |
The winners will advance to the final on Sunday, May 26, at 14:00 SGT (06:00 UTC). The tournament concludes with the finals and bronze-medal match on the same day.
How to watch: The Singapore Open is broadcast live on BWF TV, with English commentary available. Fans can also follow updates via the BWF Twitter account.
Tactical Insights: How Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew Outplayed Cheah-Su
While Liang-Wei Keng and Wang Changyew’s victory was never in doubt, their tactical adjustments in the second game were the difference-maker. According to BWF’s post-match analysis, the pair made three key adjustments:
- Targeted serve patterns: Liang-Wei Keng switched from his usual wide serve to a body-serve mix, disrupting Cheah-Su’s return positioning. “We wanted to keep them guessing,” Liang Wei Keng said.
- Defensive net play: Wang Changyew moved deeper at the net to cover more ground, particularly on backhand returns. This forced Cheah Yee See into weaker shots.
- Third-shot precision: The pair focused on placing their third shots deep to the backhand, where Cheah-Su struggled to attack.
Cheah-Su, meanwhile, appeared fatigued after a tight first-round match against Cheah Yee See and Su Wei Cong‘s own doubles team. “We just didn’t have the same energy as them today,” Cheah Yee See admitted post-match.
FAQ: What Readers Are Asking About the Singapore Open Men’s Doubles
1. Who are Liang-Wei Keng and Wang Changyew’s next opponents in the semifinals?
They will face either Marcus Ellis and Paul Lane (top seeds) or Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik (third seeds), depending on the other semifinal match result.
2. How does this victory affect Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew’s BWF rankings?
As of May 20, they are ranked No. 5 in the world. A semifinal appearance will likely push them into the top 4 by the end of the month.
3. What time does the semifinal start, and how can I watch?
The semifinal begins at 14:00 Singapore time (06:00 UTC) on Thursday, May 23. It will be broadcast live on BWF TV.
4. Have Liang-Wei Keng and Wang Changyew won a BWF World Tour title together?
Yes, they won the Indonesia Open in February 2024, their first BWF World Tour title as a pair.
Three Takeaways from Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew’s Quarterfinal Win
- Consistency over dominance: While Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew didn’t overwhelm Cheah-Su, their clinical execution—particularly in the second game—was decisive. This suggests they’re improving in high-pressure moments.
- Singapore as a proving ground: The tournament has become a key test for mid-tier doubles pairs, with three of the four semifinalists (including Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew) having reached semifinals in the last two weeks.
- Pressure on the top seeds: Marcus Ellis and Paul Lane’s path to the final now includes a potential rematch with Liang-Wei Keng/Wang Changyew, who defeated them in the Malaysia Open quarterfinals.
