Big scalp: Leong Jun Hao plays a return against Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie during their first-round match at the Indonesia Open. — AP
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao continues to grow from strength to strength.
Just a week after stunning world No. 9 Indonesian Anthony Ginting in the second round of the Singapore Open, Jun Hao went one better by pulling off another huge upset over the former’s teammate and world No. 3 Jonatan Christie to storm into the second round of the Indonesian Open.
World No. 32 Jun Hao, who was making his first appearance in a World Tour Super 1000 event after he was promoted from the reserves list, fought brilliantly to beat Jonatan 21-13, 16-21, 21-12 and silence the passionate home crowd at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta yesterday.
The 24-year-old could have even won in straight games as he led 11-7 in the second game but the All-England and Asian champion refused to give up and fought back to win and force a decider.
But instead of wilting, Jun Hao came out firing in the third game to lead 11-5 and did not look back to seal victory in 62 minutes.
It was the 2017 Asian Junior champion’s biggest win in his career so far in his first meeting with Jonatan.
Jun Hao was happy to come away with the win.
“I gave everything I had and I’m happy that I managed to win,” said Jun Hao in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“Anthony and Jonatan are both preparing for the Paris Olympics (next month) and every player goes through ups and downs.
“I managed to do my best and I give myself credit that I could win today (yesterday).
“The fans here are special. I was leading in the second game but their cheers helped Jonatan come back and win.
“In the third game, although it looked like an easy win for me and I was leading by a few points, I had to stay calm and focus on each point,” added Jun Hao.
He has been showing steady improvement since helping Malaysia win bronze in the Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu last month and is out to maintain his form.
“I have managed to find some consistency and I have been gaining more confidence since the Thomas Cup. I hope I can continue this,” said Jun Hao.
Jun Hao has another tough hurdle in the second round today against Taiwan’s world No. 11 Chou Tien-chen.
Tien-chen defeated teammate Lin Chun-yi 21-17, 21-14 in his opening match.
The Taiwanese will start as the favourite against Jun Hao as he has won in their only encounter so far in the Spain Masters in March.
RESULTS (Malaysians only)
First round
Malaysians onlyMen’s singles: Leong Jun Hao bt Jonatan Christie (Ina) 21-13, 16-21, 21-12.
Women’s doubles: Yeung Nga Ting-Yeung Pui Lam (Hkg) bt Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien 21-17, 21-18.
Mixed doubles: Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin (Chn) bt Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow 19-21, 21-13, 21-18.
