KUALA LUMPUR – Leong Jun Hao’s unexpected win in the second singles eased the pressure on doubles duo Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to deliver Malaysia’s winning point over Japan in the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup in Chengdu, China today.
Koki Watanabe is ranked 22nd in the world but going into the match, Jun Hao held a 2-1 record against Japan’s second singles shuttler.
The Kuala Lumpur-born Jun Hao, ranked 37th, took only 35 minutes to swat aside Watanabe in straight sets 21-13, 21-10.
“If Jun Hao had lost, the pressure on us would have been different. His win gave us an advantage.
“There is still pressure on us to deliver but after leading 2-1, it eased a bit,” said Sze Fei.
Jun Hao’s dominating performance paved the way for Sze Fei-Izzuddin to record their first triumph over Akira Koga-Taichi Saito in four meetings, 18-21, 21-15, 21-12, for the winning point in a 3-1 victory.
Earlier, independent singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia had given Malaysia a winning start after defeating Kenta Nishimoto in straight sets.
However, national number one doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik could not continue the country’s momentum after losing to long-time bogey pair Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi before Jun Hao and Sze Fei-Izzuddin delivered the winning points for Malaysia.
This is the first time Malaysia have advanced to the semi-finals of the Thomas Cup since 2016.
However, formidable opponents in the form of China await Malaysia on Saturday.
China had knocked out defending champions India 3-1 in their quarter-final to book their final-four spot. – May 2, 2024