PETALING JAYA: The spotlight will be on men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao (pic) at the German Open next week as he looks to prove he truly deserves his status as Malaysia’s No. 1.
In recent months, Jun Hao’s form has come under scrutiny after a string of early exits despite carrying the mantle as the country’s top men’s singles player.
The 25-year-old, however, believes both his physical condition and mental strength have improved as he prepares to resume his campaign, having withdrawn at the last minute from the Indonesian Masters last month.
“Previously, I was in recovery, and now I am continuing my training, and everything is going well as we build up to the All-England,” said Jun Hao.
Jun Hao will have the chance to silence his critics in Mulheim when he faces world No. 20 Chi Yu-jen of Taiwan in the opening round.
Although Yu-jen sits seven rungs above Jun Hao, who is currently ranked No. 27, the head to head record favours the Malaysian, who has won three of their five previous meetings.
Should he clear the first hurdle, Jun Hao is likely to face another Taiwanese Lee Chia-hao. Their rivalry has been evenly matched, with both players claiming three wins apiece from six encounters.
The tournament also gives Jun Hao a chance to restore confidence in Malaysia’s men’s singles following Lee Zii Jia’s withdrawal.
His teammate Justin Hoh will also travel to Germany, but faces a tougher challenge in the opening round against world No. 25 from Hong Kong, Lee Cheuk Yiu, who defeated him at the Asian Mixed Team Championships in Qingdao last year.
In the previous edition, Justin reached the second round before falling to Singapore’s Jason Teh.
