PETALING JAYA: In sport, miracles aren’t rare and for Justin Hoh, today could be the perfect moment to believe in one.
The national men’s singles shuttler has nothing to lose when he goes up against defending champion Jonatan Christie in the second round of the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China.
Justin is the sole Malaysian men’s singles player to have cleared the opening round after putting on a gutsy display against South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin.
Despite feeling the fatigue from two gruelling qualifying matches on Tuesday, the 20-year-old dug deep to stage an impressive comeback and claim a 14-21, 22-20, 21-16 victory after a marathon 79-minute battle.
Currently ranked world No. 48, Justin will need to make the most of this rare opportunity to test himself against a top-tier opponent like Jonatan, who sits at world No. 4.
“Justin fought hard today (yesterday) and managed to adjust his game in the second set, which gave him a chance to challenge Hyeok-jin. He also showed strong character when he was down and out. He kept believing and stayed positive. The third set was both a physical and mental battle, as most tough matches are,” said singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen.
“Going up against Jonatan tomorrow (today) will be a true test against a world-class player. It means performing at the highest level possible. It is also another great opportunity to learn.’’
Amid the cheer surrounding Justin’s victory, there was growing concern over the form of his teammates Ng Tze Yong and Leong Jun Hao.
Expectations were understandably low for Tze Yong, who was making his first competitive appearance in over a year after recovering from a back injury. Up against 2023 world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the 23-year-old struggled to find his footing and fell 9-21, 12-21 in 44 minutes.
But Jun Hao’s defeat raised more serious concerns. The 24-year-old was dealt another setback as his Asian Championships debut ended in a first-round exit, leaving Jonassen with plenty to ponder.
Based on past records, Jun Hao was expected to have no trouble overcoming Taiwan’s Lee Chun-yi, having won both of their previous encounters. However, things took a different turn.
It was clear that Jun Hao only started showing his true form after falling far behind in the second set. However, it was too late as the Kuala Lumpur-born player succumbed to an 11-21, 19-21 defeat in just 42 minutes.
“Jun Hao unfortunately got outpaced and outpowered. Chun-yi controlled the front court right from the first shot of most rallies, and with his powerful attack, we struggled. We almost made another crazy comeback, but the margin wasn’t on our side today. This match, along with the feedback, will serve as a guideline moving forward,” said Jonassen.
Although Jonassen tried to remain positive, he didn’t hide the fact that the loss in Ningbo, China, had an impact on him. Since taking over as Jun Hao’s coach in January, the player has struggled to maintain consistency and deliver his best performances on court.
“My point is, whether I’m disappointed or not, it doesn’t change the fact that every time we lose, it bothers me deeply.
“We will, of course, discuss all important matters and move forward. However, it’s also important to remember that he hasn’t lost to anyone ranked lower than himself. But that is the standard we are up against, and it’s something we need to address moving forward,” he added.
