KUALA LUMPUR: Fresh from winning the KL Masters title on Sunday, and moving up the world rankings, national men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao has all the reasons to do well at the Korea Masters this week.
On top of that, the withdrawal of several big names, including the likes of Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong, has paved the way for the former Asian junior champion to advance beyond the quarter-final stage at the very least.
After bagging his second Super 100 title at the Titiwangsa Stadium, Jun Hao, 24 left for Gwangju in high spirits.
Jun Hao will open his campaign against Singapore's Jason Teh. Barring any upset, Jun Hao is slated to take on former world No 1 Son Wan Ho of South Korea in the following round.
"Physically I'm doing good. I hope I can continue my fine performance in this tournament," said Jun Hao, who wants to break into the world top 32 by the end of the year.
The goal is not too distant, as he has moved five rungs up to No 38 in the world, with two more tournaments remaining. "Yes that is the target (to break into the world top 32), but I don't want to just think about it," added Jun Hao.
The other Malaysian men's singles shuttler in the fray is independent Soong Joo Ven. Joo Ven, will play qualifier Dmitriy Panarin of Kazakhstan in the first round.
Men's doubles Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and mixed doubles duo Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, will also see action today.
Fifth seeds Sze Fei-Izzuddin will play homesters Choi Hyuk Gyun-Kim Jaehwan while world No 10 Tang Jie-Ee Wei will play Taiwan's Chen Zhi Ray-Yang Ching Tun.
In the men's doubles, national champions Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi went down 14-21, 21-16, 23-21 to Taiwan's Lu Ming Che-Tang Kai Wei. Another Malaysian pair, Lwi Sheng Hao-Jimmy Wong lost 21-8, 21-11 to Taiwan's Lee Jhe Huei-Yang Po Hsuan.