THE national junior shuttlers finally had a chance to taste some action with top seed Jacky Kok living up to expectations on the first day of the National Junior Ranking Challenge.
The 18-year-old Jacky, third in the junior world rankings, was hardly troubled as he won his opening two matches in Group A at the Academy Badminton Malaysia yesterday.
The southpaw from Kedah downed Jimmy Wong 21-16, 21-12 in the morning session before beating Fazriq Razif Sidek 21-11, 21-13 in the evening session.
"We only came back into training at the end of July, so it's really good to be able to get a taste of what competition feels like after so long," said Jacky.
"I was really anxious to play although I wasn't feeling the pressure at all.
"I just went in there looking to enjoy every point and every shot.
"We're still trying to regain that competition feeling after the long break and I am positive it can only get better from here on.
"The competition in Group A is very strong but it's still a long way to go and there are a lot more matches to play."
The two-game winning start was however not enough for Jacky to take the lead in the group as Ong Ken Yon and Ong Zhen Yi both won their opening matches as well.
Ken Yon, No 20 in the junior world rankings, beat Chia Jeng Hon 21-15, 21-10 and Chua Kim Sheng 19-21, 21-18, 21-14. Zhen Yi thumped Anson Cheng 21-9, 21-11 before getting past Jeng Hon 21-16, 14-21, 21-17.
In boys' doubles, Beh Chun Ming-Goh Boon Zhe whipped Bryan Jeremy-Liew Xun 21-9, 21-13 in their opening game.
In girls' singles, Khor Jing Wen downed Joanne Ng 21-18, 21-15 while Myisha Khairul edged Tan Zhing Yi 8-21, 21-13, 21-18.