Big task: Leong Jun Hao will play Thailand’s Sitthikom Thammasin in the first round today.
PETALING JAYA: National men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao advanced to the main draw of the Thailand Open after clearing the two qualifying round hurdles yesterday.
Jun Hao edged India’s Meiara Luwang 16-21, 21-5, 21-16 in the first qualifying round before defeating compatriot Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin 21-15, 21-19 at the Huamak Indoor Stadium.
“I was more confident and comfortable in the second match as I was more used to the court condition. I will rest and prepare myself for the next match,” said Jun Hao, who will meet Thailand’s Sitthikom Thammasin in the first round.
Another Badminton Association of Malaysia player Cheam June Wei has been promoted to the main draw and will play China’s All-England champion Li Shifeng today.
June Wei’s coach Nova Armada said there is not much advantage for June Wei although Shifeng will play in his third consecutive tournament.
Shifeng lost to Malaysian Masters winner H.S. Prannoy of India in the second round last week.
“It’s good for June Wei to make the main draw but I don’t see a big advantage against Shifeng. The Chinese shuttler lost early in the Malaysian Masters and will be fresh here,” said Nova.
“I hope that June Wei manages to give a tough fight to Shifeng.
“I am also looking forward to seeing Goh Jin Wei (women’s singles) continuing to play matches that goes into three games.
“She managed to do that in the Sudirman Cup and the Malaysian Masters. If she can last the pace, her condition is getting better and we can add more into her game after this.
“The battle now is to see her completing her matches and she doesn’t have to give walkovers.”
Jin Wei, who lost in the first round (21-17, 17-21, 21-15) to Yvonne Li of Germany, will play Taiwan’s Hsu Wen-chi today.
Another player on a redemption mission is men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong who will play Priyanshu Rajawat of India in the first round.
Tze Yong will be aiming to do better after losing in the first round to Kenta Nishimoto of Japan at the Malaysian Masters.
Malaysians unless stated
First qualifying round
Men’s singles: Leong Jun Hao bt Meiraba Luwang (Ind) 16-21, 21-5, 21-16; Lee Shun Yang w.o. Garret Tan (US).
Men’s doubles: Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah bt Tan Kian meng-Tan Wee Kiong 18-21, 21-18, 21-13; Thanawin Madee-Natthapat Trinkajee (Tha) bt Boon Xin Yuan-Wong Tien Ci 18-21, 21-15, 21-12.
Mixed doubles: Adnan Maulana-Nita Violina (Ina) bt Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing 21-14, 21-16.
Second qualifying round
Men’s singles: Yeoh Seng Zoe w.o. Panitchapon Teeraratsakul (Tha); Sholeh Aidil Sadikin Ali bt S. Shankar Muthusamy (Ind) 21-17, 21-14.
Men’s doubles: Sabar Karyaman-Mo Reza Pahlevi (Ina) bt Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah 25-23, 16-21, 21-16.
Third qualifying round
Men’s singles: Leong Jun Hao bt Sholeh Aidil Sadikin Ali 21-15, 21-19.
