Jun Hao Moves Into Malaysia Masters Second Round After Hard Fight

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National men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao in action against China’s Lei Lan Xi in their Malaysia Masters 2024 first round match at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao bounced back from a game down to show China’s Lei Lan Xi the exit in the first round of the Malaysia Masters 2024 today.
World No 37 Jun Hao lost the first game 12-21 but showed determination and resilience to win the next two games 23-21, 21-12 to clinch victory in front of the home fans at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil here.
“I must give my best when I play here (in Malaysia). I never gave up and gave it everything I had… and that’s one reason why I won today,” he told reporters.
“I feel I am improving now because I’m playing in more high-quality tournaments.”
Jun Hao will face either France’s Toma Junior Popov or third seed Li Shi Feng of China.
National women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei also had to slog over three games before overcoming Ukraine’s Polina Buhrova 21-16, 18-21, 21-14 to set up a second-round date with Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan tomorrow.
Earlier today, the nation’s top mixed doubles pair of Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei defeated Pakkapon Teeraratsakul-Phataimas Muenwong in their first round tie.
The World No 9 pair easily overpowered the 42nd-ranked Thai pair 21-12, 21-14 to move into the second round for the first time.
In their debut last year, Tang Jie-Ee Wei were eliminated in the first round by Indonesia’s Rinov Rivaldy and Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.
The pair will next face India’s Sumeeth Reddy and Sikki Reddy, who overcame Lui Chun Wai and Fu Chi Yan from Hong Kong 21-15, 12-21, 21-17.
Former national mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were the last Malaysians to win the title – in 2017.
Meanwhile in the women’s singles, national shuttler K Letshanaa bowed out 14-21, 9-21 to top seed Han Yue of China in 33 minutes.
The World No 6 Han Yue will next face Taiwan’s Hung Yi Ting, who ousted Belgium’s Lianne Tan 21-11, 21-13. - FMT

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