WORLD No 1 Kento Momota may have pulled out of the Indonesia Masters next week but he is not ready to throw in the towel in the ongoing Malaysia Masters.
This is because the 26-year-old Japanese hopes to break his duck on Malaysian soil after two failed attempts last year.
The world champion reached the final of the 2018 Malaysia Open but was pipped to the title by Lee Chong Wei.
Last year, Momota crashed out in the opening round of the Malaysia Masters after going down to compatriot Kenta Nishimoto.
Then, at the Malaysia Open, he was sent packing in the second round by Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie.
“Towards the end of last year, it was really hectic for me, especially after the BWF World Tour Finals (Guangzhou) and the Japanese National Championships.
“I don’t want to push myself too much because I fear picking up an injury, which is why I chose to withdraw from the Indonesia Open.
“However, I am not skipping the Malaysia Masters because it’s important for me that I do not lose the tournament feeling,” said Momota, who yesterday disposed of India’s P. Kashyap 21-17, 21-16 in the opening round at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
The Japanese will play either teammate Kanta Tsuneyama or India’s H.S. Prannoy today for a place in the quarter-finals.
“I am not in my best shape but I still won (yesterday). If I can win tomorrow, then I will be in the quarter-finals and that is already better than last year. So, we will see,” he added.
Momota also confirmed that he had no choice but to pay a fine to BWF for withdrawing from the Indonesia Masters at the final hour and that it was something he had to do to safeguard his health.