PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao justified his status as the national No. 1 by beating fellow Malaysian Lee Zii Jia to reach the Hong Kong Open second round.
World No. 23 Jun Hao came out on top 21-16, 21-16 over world No. 47 Zii Jia in 40 minutes at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Kowloon on Wednesday (Sept 10).
It was Jun Hao's first win over the independent player after losing twice to him in senior international tournaments.
The 26-year-old will next await the winner of the match between teammate Justin Hoh and Frenchman Toma Junior Popov.
Meanwhile, it was Zii Jia's second early round exit after he also lost to South Korea's Jeon Hyeok-jin in the first round of the World Championships in Paris.
The 27-year-old made his comeback from an ankle injury after five months in the world meet.
