Steady climb: Justin Hoh is now closer to his career high No. 48 ranking. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Justin Hoh received a timely boost ahead of his first-round match against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke in the Hong Kong Open today after moving up 11 rungs to No. 57 in the latest world rankings.
The leap in rankings was well deserved for Justin after he reached the quarter-finals of a World Tour Super 300 tournament for the first time in the recent Taiwan Open.
The 20-year-old is now closer to his career high No. 48 ranking, which he achieved last year before an Achilles injury cruelly curtailed his progress.
Justin made his comeback from the injury last November after eight months out but struggled with foot and knee issues before fully recovering in March.
The youngster dropped to as low as No. 233 after his injury ordeal but his hard work and perseverance have seen him progress steadily to his current position.
Justin won the Slovenian Open in May and Saipan International in July, and finished runner-up in the Northern Marianas Open.
He was also part of the team that won bronze in the Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu in May and made it to the quarter-finals of the Super 100 Taiwan Masters a month later.
Justin is set to make his debut in a Super 500 event in Hong Kong where he faces a tough task against Denmark’s world No. 26 Gemke.
Justin fought hard before losing 13-21, 21-19, 13-21 to Gemke in their sole encounter before this in the group stage of the Thomas Cup.
Meanwhile, independent player Lee Zii Jia also received a boost in rankings when he moved up one rung to No. 3 in the world.
The Paris Olympics bronze medallist dislodged Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, who dropped to seventh.
The 26-year-old will give the Hong Kong tourney a miss but could return to competitive action in the China Open from Sept 17-22.
Leong Jun Hao, who remained at No. 29, will open his campaign in Hong Kong today against home qualifier Chan Yin Chak while independent player Cheam June Wei, who jumped from No. 65 to No. 61, will face world No. 28 Frenchman Christo Popov.
