PETALING JAYA: The all-Malaysian showdown between Lee Zii Jia and Leong Jun Hao at the Hong Kong Open next Tuesday is expected to draw plenty of attention as it could decide who truly deserves to be regarded as the country’s No. 1 men’s singles player.
The two have been drawn to face each other in the first round, their first meeting since the 2023 Arctic Open.
On paper, Jun Hao currently holds the upper hand as the world No. 23 – the highest-ranked Malaysian in men’s singles.
Zii Jia, however, has slipped to No. 47 after struggling with an ankle injury, placing him behind Justin Hoh (No. 39) and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (No. 43).
Rankings aside, though, Zii Jia remains a dangerous contender. On his day, the former Asian champion is capable of beating any top player.
The head-to-head record also favours him, having won all three previous encounters with Jun Hao, including their quarter-final clash at the 2023 Arctic Open en route to the title.
Both players are also seeking redemption after disappointing outings at the World Championships in Paris last week.
Zii Jia fell in the first round to South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin, while Jun Hao exited in the second round after losing to Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto.
Last year, Zii Jia skipped the Hong Kong Open due to severe mental and physical fatigue after winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.
Jun Hao, meanwhile, featured in the tournament but saw his run ending in the second round by home favourite Lee Cheuk Yiu.
Ironically, Justin and Aidil, despite being ranked higher, must go through the qualifying rounds.
Justin will first face former teammate Jacky Kok before taking on either India’s Tharun Mannepalli or former world No. 1 and world championship runner-up K. Srikanth of India for a place in the main draw.
Aidil, meanwhile, opens against Canada’s Sheng Xiaodong and will then meet either England’s Heng Lin Ngan or Taiwan’s Su Li-yang.
Also in the fray is Lin Dan Cup champion Cheam June Wei, who will take on India’s Kiran George in the qualifiers.
