KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s men’s singles player, Leong Jun Hao, continues to dazzle at the Indonesia Open, securing a hard-fought victory over Chinese Taipei ace Chou Tien Chen in a gripping second-round showdown at Istora Senayan today.
Fresh from his remarkable upset against world number three Jonatan Christie yesterday, Jun Hao displayed a masterclass performance against 11th-ranked Tien Chen, resulting in an electrifying match that stretched into a decisive rubber set.
After an intense battle lasting 67 minutes, Jun Hao emerged victorious with a nail-biting scoreline of 21-18, 13-21, 21-17, effectively halting Tien Chen’s campaign in the tournament.
This triumph marks a redemption for Jun Hao, overturning his previous defeat to Tien Chen during the quarter-finals of the Madrid Masters last March.
Despite his long-standing presence on the international stage, Jun Hao acknowledges that many top players may not be familiar with his playing style, giving him an advantage to spring surprises.
“I feel great after my win just now. He is a tough and experienced opponent, and I know he always makes a comeback in the decider. During the third set, I just told myself to keep going, point by point, despite him chasing me.
“I think it’s perhaps the game plan and the confidence that I have, and I just want to maintain this good rhythm.
“For sure, being the one chasing the opponent, I had nothing to lose, adding more pressure to them. Also, maybe they are not familiar with my game plan.”
Jun Hao has the opportunity to further extend his impressive record in this tournament when he is scheduled to meet world number four, Li Shifeng from China, in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
Based on their previous encounters, both players have faced each other twice this year, first at the Thomas Cup in Chengdu and then at the Malaysia Masters last month, with both matches ending in favour of the Chinese player.
“I need to focus on the recovery process after today’s match. I am very pleased with the result today, but I will prepare thoroughly for tomorrow,” he added. – June 6, 2024