Jun Hao shows nerves of steel in Zii Jia's absence at Sudirman Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles ace Leong Jun Hao showed nerves of steel to deliver Malaysia's winning point against France in their Sudirman Cup opener on Monday, proving he is capable of stepping into the shoes of world No 9 Lee Zii Jia.
World No 26 Jun Hao had some anxious moments but kept his composure to secure a tough 22-20, 21-19 win over world No 68 Arnaud Merkle in 55 minutes, giving Malaysia an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Group C tie.
Zii Jia is absent from the tournament as he recovers from an ankle injury, leaving Jun Hao and second-choice Justin Hoh to carry Malaysia's hopes in the men's singles.
Earlier, world No 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani got Malaysia off to a flying start with a 21-11, 21-9 win over world No 58 Mael Cattoen-Lucas Renoir in just 29 minutes.
Women's singles world No 43 Goh Jin Wei then overcame 81st-ranked Leonice Huet 21-10, 21-19 in 33 minutes to secure Malaysia's second point, before Jun Hao wrapped up the tie at the Xiamen Fenghuang Gymnasium.
"My opponent (Merkle) was more aggressive, and I had to battle point for point. It was a tough match but I am happy that whatever I did today worked," said Jun Hao.
"I took some time to settle down as this is my first experience playing in this hall, and I needed to control the shuttle due to the draught.
"Merkle is tall and likes to attack, but I maintained my composure and didn't allow him to get into his rhythm."
Following Jun Hao's victory, Malaysia added two more points through women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai.
World No 5 Pearly-Thinaah outclassed 62nd-ranked Margot Lambert-Camille Pognante 21-13, 21-10 in 32 minutes, while world No 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai completed the rout by defeating French scratch pair Gregoire Deschamp-Elsa Jacob 21-7, 21-19 to hand Malaysia a positive start.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen, under pressure to deliver results at the Sudirman Cup, would have been pleased not just with Jun Hao's display, but also Jin Wei's.
Jin Wei, playing in her third Sudirman Cup, said the recent centralised training camp under Jonassen helped her prepare well for the mission.
"When I was included in the team event, I felt very happy to be part of it," said Jin Wei.
"Of course, there is always pressure in team events. However, everyone in the team is motivated to win our ties here. We are mentally prepared for this mission."
However, Jin Wei admitted she still needs to work harder to improve her game ahead of the upcoming ties.
Malaysia will face Australia on Tuesday, and a win will virtually seal their place in the last eight.
Jonassen is expected to rest some key players, including Jun Hao, to give others a run-out.
Justin Hoh, K. Letshanaa, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Go Pei Kee-Carmen Ting and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are expected to feature against minnows Australia.
Malaysia's main group test will come against Japan, who thrashed Australia 5-0 on Monday, in the top-of-the-table clash on Thursday.
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