BUKIT JALIL: Losing does not mean giving up, and Malaysia’s men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao is determined to reclaim the giantkiller reputation he once built.
Jun Hao went down 18-21, 11-21 to 2024 Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie in the second round of the Malaysian Open at Axiata Arena yesterday.
Despite the loss, the 26-year-old drew positives from the match, managing to give the Indonesian star a strong challenge until the end.
Jun Hao admitted he was disappointed to see his campaign end early, but he remained unfazed even as his head-to-head record against Jonatan is now level at 3-3.
“I had my chances and I wanted to win here. But I lost this match, so of course I’m disappointed.
“I don’t feel too too disturbed with this loss, because every match is different, every condition is different,” said Jun Hao.
Jun Hao went through a dip in form last year, but even during that period, he once shocked Jonatan by eliminating him in the second round of last year’s Singapore Open.
Before breaking into the world’s top 32 and claiming the status of Malaysia’s No. 1 men’s singles player, Jun Hao had already made a name for himself as one of the few who could challenge the world’s top players.
At the 2024 Kumamoto Masters, for instance, he ousted Lakshya Sen, Kodai Naraoka, Koki Watanabe, and Jonatan to reach the final, before eventually falling to Li Shifeng.
Jun Hao hopes to regain that confidence as he resumes training under his former coach, Datuk Tey Seu Bock, who is returning to lead the senior squad.
“I will discuss with my coach to prepare properly. Every time I play, I do my best and try to win every match,” he added.
Jun Hao will now turn his attention to the Indian Open in New Delhi where he will play against Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in the first round on Tuesday.
