Badminton

Jun Hao runs into Great Wall dead-end again

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite stunning China's Asian Games champion Li Shi Feng earlier this month, Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao still couldn't get past the other shuttlers from the Great Wall.

Another week, it was another disappointment for Jun Hao.

The world No. 27 fell short against China's Weng Hong Yang, losing 21-14, 21-13 in the opening round at the Indonesia Masters today.

This was Jun Hao's second defeat to the same opponent in less than a week.

Just six days ago at the India Open, the Malaysian No. 2 men's singles also succumbed to world No. 16 Hong Yang in the last 16.

The defeat marked an unfruitful three-tournament campaign where Jun Hao managed only one win in four matches, all against Chinese opponents.

His campaign began with a loss to China's Lu Guang Zu at the season-opening Malaysia Open.

Jun Hao's sole bright spot came in New Delhi, where he defeated Asiad champ Shi Feng in the India Open first round.

Newly appointed national coach Kenneth Jonassen will have his work cut out to improve Jun Hao's game.

While the shuttler has made considerable progress last year, notching notable victories against top players like Indonesia's Jonatan Christie and Japan's Kodai Naraoka, inconsistency remains his biggest issue in breaking into badminton's elite ranks.

In other matches, world No. 18 mixed doubles Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin advanced to the last 16, defeating Hong Kong's Lui Chun Wai-Fu Chi Yan 21-14, 21-17. However, professional duo Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien were outplayed 21-13, 21-15 by Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito.

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