PETALING JAYA: Datuk Tey Seu Bock's presence in the coaching chair seems to have sparked shuttler Leong Jun Hao back to life as he ended a run of five consecutive first round defeats in the World Tour at the Malaysian Open.
Seu Bock, who has been strongly tipped to return as the senior men's singles coach in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), was seen guiding Jun Hao along with K. Yogendran against China's world No. 29 Wang Zhengxing.
And the 26-year-old Jun Hao went on to record an impressive 21-17, 21-17 victory in 48 minutes in the opening match at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil yesterday.
It was a much-needed turnaround from the world No. 28 after last winning a match in the World Tour in the China Masters in September.
A much happier Jun Hao said that Seu Bock's presence was key to his victory.
"He used to guide me before and he's coaching me again in a match today (yesterday)," said Jun Hao.
"For sure, it feels different as he has guided the senior men's singles players for so many years.
"He knows our style of play better, so I felt more comfortable on court."
Seu Bock was shifted from the senior men's singles to junior coach at the end of 2024.
The change did not work in Jun Hao's favour as he struggled for form last year under singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen, who joined BAM a year ago.
He will next face the winner of the clash between Indonesia's world No. 4 Jonatan Christie and Taiwan's world No. 20 Lee Chia-hao.
