PETALING JAYA: The much anticipated clash between Leong Jun Hao and independent shuttler Soong Joo Ven in the National Championships will not materialise after the latter conceded a walkover in the third round at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
Joo Ven, the second seed, appeared to be the only player capable of stopping Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) players led by Jun Hao from clinching the men’s singles crown but the lefthander threw in the towel while trailing 2-11 in the first game against Aaron Kok of Pahang.
The world No. 70 revealed after the match that he had tested positive for Covid-19 during the Taiwan Open two weeks ago.
“It was just unfortunate that I tested positive at the Taiwan Open after the first round and only recovered about five days ago.
“I wanted to give it a try here but felt quite weak and had no choice but to concede a walkover,” said Joo Ven.
“I need to take a good rest and start preparing for a couple of tournaments later this month as I need to build my world ranking again.
“I have been struggling with the knee injuries but they are manageable now and I was looking forward to having some good results before Covid-19 struck.”
Jun Hao did not face problems beating Sie Zi Lok of Negri Sembilan 21-17, 21-13 in the third round and will play fellow national player Hooi Shao Herng in the last 16 today.
The top seeded Jun Hao believes he will have to be wary of the threat from younger BAM players more than the independent shuttlers.
“I am more worried about the BAM players who have nothing to lose. We train together and know each other’s game well and I need to be careful against them,” said Jun Hao.
“So, I have to take match by match and be prepared. I may meet (Ong) Ken Yon or Aidil (Sholeh Ali Sadikin) in the semis. They are not easy to play.”
The exit of Joo Ven means two other independent shuttlers Yeoh Seng Zoe and Lim Chi Wing would be fancying their chances this week.
Seng Zoe, representing Penang, defeated Selangor’s Ng In Qin 21-11, 21-18 while Chi Wing beat Johor’s Liew Wen Jie 21-9, 21-13 to advance.
Meanwhile, women’s singles top seed Goh Jin Wei also withdrew from the competition and this will give BAM’s K. Letshanaa the chance to win her first senior national title.
Letshanaa, the second seed, defeated Dania Sofea Zaidi of Johor 21-8, 21-14 in the second round.
“I was looking forward to playing against Jin Wei in the final but unfortunately she pulled out. However, I have to re-focus and trying to take match by match,” said Letshanaa.
Letshanaa said BAM player Wong Ling Ching, who beat Ooi Yu Han of Kedah 21-9, 21-12 in the second round, could be the biggest threat to her title hopes.
RESULTS
BAM unless stated (Selected results)
Men’s singles third round: Leong Jun Hao bt Sie Zie Lok (NSe) 21-1721-13; Aaron Kok (Pah) w.o. Soong Joo Ven (Sel) 11-2 rtd; Hooi Shao Herng bt Rozain Faiz (Ter) 18-21, 21-14, 21-16; Lim Chong King bt Azuan Amirul Imran (Joh) 21-15, 21-13; Chia Jeng Hon bt Yeow Chun Cher (Mal) 21-16, 21-13; Ong Ken Yon bt Naim Ahmad Fairuzly (Sel) 21-12, 11-21, 21-16; Lim Chi Wing (KL) bt Liew Wen Jie (Sel) 21-9, 21-13; Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin bt Nor Azahar Zunide (Sab) 21-11, 21-14; Atef Haikal Taufik (Sel) bt The Jin Hong (Pg) 21-8, 22-20; Chua Kim Sheng bt Nur Hakim Hanif (Kel) 21-6, 21-10; Yeoh Seng Zoe (Pg) bt Ng In Qin (Sel) 21-11, 21-18; Sng Wei Ming bt Mohd Hafiz Sikkander (KL) 21-9, 17-21, 21-11; Lee Shun Yang bt Lim Ming Hong (Pg) 21-19, 21-12; Soh Ping Chuan (Mal) bt Kong Zhou Swin 24-22, 21-11; Ong Zhen Yi bt Ariffin Nazri Zakaria (Joh) 21-14, 21-18; Mohd Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar bt Haris Sufian Rushdan (Sel) 22-20, 21-12.
Women’s singles second round: Lim Shin (Joh) w.o. Goh Jin Wei (Pg); The Si Yan bt Sarah Ngu 21-10, 21-12; Oo Shan Zi bt K. Reesha 21-4, 21-7; Christine Lam (Pg) bt Chong Shi Ming 21-15, 21-14; Wong Ling Ching bt Ooi Yu Han (Ked) 21-9, 21-12; K. Nilasha (Sel) bt Nicole Yeo (Pah) 21-8, 21-14; Tan Zhing Hui bt Ho Yen Mei (KL) 16-21, 21-15, 21-11; Lee Kay Xin bt Tan Shen Thing (Pg) 21-12, 21-13; Siti Nurshuhaini Azman bt Chin Huey Xing (Sar) 21-9, 21-9; K. Letshanaa bt Dania Sofea Zaidi (Joh) 21-8, 21-14; R. Kasthuri (Sel) bt Lim Zhi Shin (Pg) 21-14, 21-11.
