PETALING JAYA: Defeat is part and parcel of sport, but going down without a fight is simply unacceptable.
Malaysia could face an uphill battle at the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3, after national No. 1 men’s singles Leong Jun Hao suffered yet another early exit at the Asian Championships.
Competing in the first round at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center in China yesterday, Jun Hao was outplayed by fourth seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, losing 13-21, 8-21 in just 36 minutes.
It marked his second straight defeat to Jonatan, having also fallen at the same stage in the Malaysian Open in January.
The result is a worrying one, especially as the tournament in Ningbo was meant to reflect Malaysia’s strength, particularly in the men’s singles department, where Jun Hao is expected to lead the charge as the first singles in Horsens.
He could play Jonatan again if they are too meet in the Finals.
However, it was a different showing from compatriot Wong Ling Ching in the women’s singles.
Although Ling Ching also exited in the opening round, the Sarawakian displayed strong fighting spirit and came close to stunning 2019 world champion P.V. Sindhu of India.
Mistakes towards the end of the deciding game proved costly as Ling Ching went down 21-15, 11-21, 19-21.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen praised her effort despite the defeat.
“It was a good performance, but there was a small chance which slipped away. A few mistakes at the crucial moment were very costly,” said Jonassen.
