KUALA LUMPUR: The odds are stacked against him, but Leong Jun Hao believes he can land the inaugural KL Masters title on Sunday.
In the semi-finals at the Titiwangsa Stadium on Saturday, the reigning national champion made easy work of South Korea's Choi Ji Hoon 21-17, 21-16.
The former Asian junior champion will face world No 37 Lee Chia Hao of Taiwan next.
The Taiwanese shuttler had earlier denied an all-Malaysian final, when he defeated Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin 21-15, 24-22 in the last four.
On paper, Chia Hao will start as favourite with a slim 2-1 head-to-head record over Jun Hao, but the Malaysian who has been up and down this season has his own target.
World No. 43 Jun Hao said: "I managed to control the match well today, but it's not enough. I still have one more match to play and I really want the title.
"Of course I feel good, and playing on home soil, there is a sense of confidence. But I don't want to think too much, let's settle the final first.
"I'd rate myself as an eight or nine this week, but it will be a 10 for me if I can win tomorrow," said Jun Hao, who wants to break into the world's top 32 by the year's end.
According to the Kuala Lumpur-born, he still has three more tournaments after this, and it's possible to achieve his goal.
"I think it's possible for me to achieve my target although I only have maybe three more tournaments after this.
"My target is to break into the world's top 32 or 30 if I can by this year."
Apart from settling for bronze at the Phnom Penh Sea Games in May, Jun Hao's other decent results include reaching two Super 500 quarter-finals (Thailand and Arctic Opens).
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
Men's singles: Lee Chia Hao (Tai) bt Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin 21-15, 24-22; Leong Jun Hao bt Choi Ji Hoon (Kor) 21-17, 21-16.
Men's doubles: Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong bt Kim Young Hyuk-Wang Chan (Kor) 21-16, 19-21, 21-15; Chen Cheng Kuan-Chen Sheng Fa (Tai) bt Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub 15-21, 21-15, 21-15.
Women's singles: Pitchamon Opatniputh (Tha) bt Chen Su Yu (Tai) 21-19, 21-14; Kim Joo Eun (Kor) bt Happy Lo Sin Yan (Hkg) 21-11, 21-15.
Women's doubles: Lui Lok Lok-Ng Wing Yun (Hkg) bt Lin Chih Chun-Sung Yu Hsuan (Tai) 23-21, 19-21, 21-14; Laksika Kanlaha-Phataimas Muenwong (Tha) bt Chang Ching Hui-Yang Ching Tun (Tai) 21-15, 19-21, 21-18.
Mixed doubles: Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See bt Chen Zhi Ray-Yang Ching Tun (Tai) 21-10, 22-20; Pakkapon Teeraratsakul-Phataimas Muenwong (Tha) bt Choong Hon Jian-Go Pei Kee 21-17, 21-17.