MEN’S singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao will face world No. 1 Jonatan Christie for the fourth time this year, but can he turn things around when they clash in the men’s team quarter-final tie at the Asian Games today?
Malaysia cruised into the quarter-finals for the first time after 12 years by beating Mongolia 3-0 in the first round at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Aichi yesterday.
Indonesia, however, checked into the last eight, after their first round bye. The last time Malaysia made it to the quarters was at the 2014 Incheon edition, where they went on to win bronze in the team event.
Jonatan has defeated Jun Hao all three times this year, with the Indonesian’s recent victory at the China Masters first round.
However, Jun Hao has proved in the past that he can win, as he had beaten Jonatan at three of their previous eight meetings.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the win over Mongolia gave the team the opportunity to adjust to the court conditions before Indonesia match-up.
“Hopefully, our players can use it as an advantage,” said Rexy.
Malaysia’s second singles shuttler and world No. 48 Justin Hoh is likely to take on world No. 10 Alwi Farhan and has won six of their previous eight matches.
Doubles duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun will face Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri and Leo Rolly-Daniel Marthin respectively, while Eogene Ewe or Kong Wei Xiang will play the third singles if the tie comes down to the wire.
Tough job: Leong Jun Hao has lost to Jonatan Christie three times this year. — NSC
