Jun Hao shows how tough he can be with comeback win over Lakshya


Impressive feat: Leong Jun Hao upset No. 17 Lakhsya Sen 20-22, 21-17, 21-16 to advance into the second round.

PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao showcased his grit on court after coming back from a game down to defeat higher-ranked Lakshya Sen of India at the Japan Masters yesterday.

World No. 31 Jun Hao upset No. 17 Lakhsya 20-22, 21-17, 21-16 in Kumamoto to advance into the second round.

The win was the 25-year-old’s second victory against the Indian shuttler, with Lakshya having won three of their previous five encounters.

Jun Hao showed strong attacking play, while Paris Olympic semi-finalist Lakshya’s unforced errors opened up opportunities for the Malaysian to launch a comeback in the second game.

Jun Hao will face either Indonesia’s Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo or Japan’s Koki Watanabe in the second round.

Meanwhile, men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia also advanced to the second round after a narrow win over compatriot Justin Hoh.

World No. 7 Zii Jia took an hour and two minutes to take down No. 50 Justin to win 21-16, 12-21, 21-17 in their first professional meeting on court.

This was Zii Jia’s first match since suffering an ankle injury at the Arctic Open quarter-finals in Finland last month, and he will meet either Japan’s Koo Takahashi or Taiwan’s Su Li-yang in the second round.

Zii Jia will be hoping to do well in Japan after skipping the Denmark Open as he tries to qualify for the World Tour Finals.

The 26-year-old Zii Jia is currently in sixth in the Race to Hangzhou rankings and needs to stay in the top seven to make the cut.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Badminton

Tang Jie-Ee Wei stage incredible comeback to reach China Masters semis
Aaron-Wooi Yik storm into last eight and closer to Finals
Path clear for Pang Ron-Su Yin to reach semis after dumping China’s No. 3
Jin Wei hoping for change of fortune next year
Three Malaysian doubles pairs in China Masters quarters
Pang Ron-Su Yin stun world No 3 home pair to reach China Masters quarters
Zii Jia still heading to World Tour Finals despite early exit in China
Some errors here and there, but no terror for Pearly-Thinaah as they advance
Badminton: Pearly-Thinaah start strong at China Masters
Zii Jia out of China Masters after first round loss to India's Lakshya Sen

Others Also Read