Defending champion Ko Ping-Chung has been forced to withdraw from the ongoing Chinese Taipei Open in his home country after suffering a bout of food poisoning during the tournament in Taipei City.
Ko won the inaugural edition of the tournament in November, defeating Filipino Jeffrey Ignacio in the final, but the world number four has had to surrender his title defence.
The reigning US Open champion forfeited his winners’ qualification round match against Ching Ting-Tang, before being taken to hospital and therefore being unable to continue his campaign on the one-loss side.
Reports from Taipei City suggest that his younger brother Ko Ping-Han could also be struggling with his health, with the three brothers having eaten at a restaurant following their opening matches on Wednesday.
Ko Pin-Yi, meanwhile, travelled to the hospital in Taipei City to check in on his brother after booking his place in the single elimination phase with a comfortable win over Lo Li-Wen.
