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PETALING JAYA: National men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao has produced a sensational comeback to book his place in his first-ever Super 500 final at the Japan Masters.
World No. 31 Jun Hao's trailblazing run in Kumamoto continued as he fought back from 10-17 down in the decider to claim a thrilling 10-21, 21-18, 22-20 victory over fourth seed, Indonesia's Jonatan Christie in the semi-finals on Saturday (Nov 16).
The win marks another milestone in Jun Hao’s impressive campaign, as he had already knocked out several higher-ranked players on his way to the final.
He defeated second seed Kodai Naraoka of Japan in the quarter-finals, as well as Koki Watanabe in the second round and India’s Lakshya Sen in the first round.
Jun Hao's achievement also makes him the first player from the Badminton Association of Malaysia to reach a World Tour final this year.
He will now face either top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark or China’s Li Shifeng in the final.
Meanwhile, men's doubles pair Tan Wee Kiong-Noor Mohd Azriyn Ayub, saw their impressive run come to an end in the semi-finals.
The duo was defeated 21-12, 21-15 by Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi.
The third-seeded mixed doubles pair of Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie also bowed out in the semi-finals, falling to their opponents in the final four.
