Tall order: National men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao is hoping to do well again in Japan. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen hopes struggling shuttler Leong Jun Hao can rediscover his spark when he returns to the scene of his biggest triumph so far in his career – the Japan Masters.
Jun Hao defied the odds to reach the final of the World Tour Super 500 competition last year before finishing runner-up to China’s Li Shifeng.
The 26-year-old though has struggled to replicate the brilliant form he showed in Japan this year where he has only managed two quarter-final appearances in the Singapore Open and Hong Kong Open.
Jun Hao is also on a poor run, suffering first round exits in his last four tournaments including the Hylo Open in Germany last week.
Jonassen, who did not hide his disappointment after seeing his charge struggle to raise his game, wants the latter to do better in the Japan tourney starting on Tuesday in Kumamoto.
“For sure, a tricky first round against a really experienced opponent, hopefully Jun Hao can find his best play and motivation from the place where he got his international breakthrough last year,” said Jonassen.
World No. 22 Jun Hao has been drawn against India’s world No. 34 H. S. Prannoy in the opener.
“But he will need to sacrifice everything as he isn’t new anymore and all his opponents have studied his game and know his strengths and weaknesses.
“It’s past the point for him to make changes in his game but he has to bring out even more physicality and intensity in each match, giving his opponent less time to react to his style.”
While it will not be easy for Jun Hao to regain his confidence, he will be desperate to raise his game in the tournament and prove that his fine run last year was no fluke.
The experienced Prannoy though will be no pushover although he has also struggled this year due to fitness issues.
Based on the head-to-head records, both players are evenly matched with one win apiece in their past meetings.
If Jun Hao gets past Prannoy, he will face the winner of the match between Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan and Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke in the second round.
