KUALA LUMPUR: Former Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao is relishing his role as second singles for Malaysia in the ongoing Thomas Cup in Chengdu, China.
The 25-year-old not only produced a stellar performance today to upset Hong Kong's world No. 27 Angus Ng 17-21, 21-12, 21-15 but also put Malaysia in the driver's seat to reach the quarter-finals of the world team championship.
Malaysia went on to thrash Hong Kong 5-0, with two more ties remaining in Group D, against Algeria on Sunday and European champions Denmark on Tuesday.
Only the top two teams in the group will advance to the knockout stage.
Earlier, world No. 10 Lee Zii Jia had put Malaysia ahead against Hong Kong, when he downed world No. 15 Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-18, 21-18.
Former men's doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik doubled Malaysia's lead with a comfortable 21-16, 21-12 win over Law Cheuk Him-Yeung Shing Choi.
Jun Hao knew he had the chance to secure the match with an unassailable 3-0 lead, against Angus, whom he had never played before, and he did not disappoint.
After a shaky start, the KL-born shuttler
put the pedal to the metal to oust Angus, who has not been up to mark this season, in just over an hour.
Jun Hao, who is known for his contribution in team events, said: "In (Ng) Tze Yong's absence I knew I would have to step up and play second singles.
"I'm very happy with my performance today and for helping my team secure the winning point.
"People usually say the third singles player plays the crucial role, but as second singles anything can happen too. The score could be 2-0 in our favour, 1-1 or we could be down 0-2.
"On paper, we had predicted to win two points from our doubles pairs and one from the singles, but I'm glad that Zii Jia and I got to do better."
Brimming with confidence, Malaysia's second doubles Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani beat scratch pair Reginald Lee-Tang Chun Man 21-19, 21-18.
Thomas Cup debutant Justin Hoh completed the drubbing when he defeated Chan Yin Chak 21-17, 19-21, 21-17.