PETALING JAYA: Can Leong Jun Hao break the duck against Li Shifeng of China in the Indonesian Open?
It’s possible if Jun Hao’s form in Jakarta is anything to go by.
Yesterday, the 24-year-old continued to his fine form when he upstaged world No. 11 Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan 21-18, 13-21, 21-17 in the second round at the Istora Senayan to set up a meeting with Shifeng.
World No. 4 Shifeng knocked out Christo Popov of France 21-11, 21-13 in another second round match.
The world No. 32 Jun Hao has been on a stellar run in the Indonesian Open as he had beaten homester and world No. 3 Jonatan Christie on Wednesday.
Last week at the Singapore Open, Jun Hao also stunned the crowd by sending world No. 9 Indonesian Anthony Ginting out in the second round, but lost to world’s top shuttler Viktor Axelsen in the quarter-finals.
Jun Hao said he had an added advantage against seeded players as they have limited experience playing against him.
“My opponents won’t know what to expect from me. I just have to continue and pressure them because they may not be familiar with my gameplay,” he said.
It will be tricky against Shifeng as he has lost to the Chinese player twice last month – in the Thomas Cup Finals and also the Malaysian Masters.
Lee Zii Jia also checked into the last eight after a 20-22, 21-9, 21-16 win over China’s Weng Hongyang. He will face reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand next.
