Malaysia’s men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao advanced to the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong Open Super 500 after defeating compatriot Justin Hoh in a second-round clash at the Hong Kong Coliseum on Thursday.
Jun Hao, however, had to dig deep before sealing the victory in one hour and six minutes, winning 21-11, 15-21, 21-18. The result also narrows his head-to-head record against Justin to 1-2.
The 25-year-old will face a tougher challenge in the quarterfinals, where he is scheduled to meet the tournament’s second seed from China, Li Shi Feng, who earlier ousted Japan’s Koki Watanabe 21-12, 21-19.
There was more joy for Malaysia in the women’s doubles event as the pair of Teoh Mei Xing–Go Pei Kee stormed into the quarterfinals after defeating Taiwan’s Hsu Ya Ching–Sung Yu Hsuan in straight sets, 21-19, 21-18, in just 41 minutes.
Mei Xing and Pei Kee will next face world silver medalists Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah, ensuring at least one Malaysian pair will progress to the semifinals. Earlier, Pearly-Thinaah secured their quarterfinal spot with a 21-18, 21-17 win over Indonesia’s Febriana Kusuma–Meilysa Puspitasari in 37 minutes.
In the mixed doubles, Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron–Cheng Su Yin also booked their place in the quarterfinals after outlasting fellow Malaysians Goh Soon Huat–Shevon Lai Jemie 21-10, 14-21, 21-16.
However, it was disappointment in the men’s doubles, with both Malaysian pairs bowing out in the second round. Goh Sze Fei–Muhammad Nur Izzuddin Rumsani fell 14-21, 21-16, 21-13 to Taiwan’s Lee Fang Chih–Lee Fang Jen, while fifth seeds Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun were beaten 21-17, 11-21, 21-15 by Taiwan’s Lee Jhe Huei–Yang Po Hsuan.
That victory allowed the Taiwanese pair to level their head-to-head record against Man-Tee at 2-2.
