A Boost That Jun Hao Needed
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- Although national men's singles player Leong Jun Hao exited in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Singapore Open after losing to reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, there were still plenty of positives to take from his performance.
Yesterday, Jun Hao lost to Kunlavut 13-21, 11-21 during the Super 750 tournament at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
However, Jun Hao's performance in the Singapore Open 2025, his first quarter-final appearance this year, could mark a turning point in his season after a string of early-round exits.
bootstrap slideshow
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen said he was both impressed and pleasantly surprised with the way the world number 25 shuttler approached the game in Singapore, particularly when upsetting world number five Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, 21-16, 21-19, at the second round of the tournament last Thursday, highlighting his true potential.
'You need to gain confidence and believe in yourself from a win like that. The process you're going through, the things that you are trying to develop and get better at are working. It's just still about getting the puzzle right every time you choose to step on that court.
'Beating a world-class player is where you build your confidence from. The process you're going through as a player, in terms of development, I truly hope it will (gain confidence),' he said when met at the training session.
With signs of progress becoming more evident, all eyes will be on how far Jun Hao can progress at the upcoming Indonesia Open 2025.
The Super 1000 tournament will be held at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, from next Tuesday until June 8.
The 25-year-old will open the campaign in Indonesia Open against China's Lei Lan Xi, with both players tied 1-1 in their head-to-head record heading into the match.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
'Fire Dragon' Herry IP to face wrath of Indonesian fans at Istora Senayan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Istora Senayan in Jakarta is a venue most non-Indonesian shuttlers dread — and this week, national men's doubles coach Herry IP could face the full wrath of its passionate crowd. Herry, who once produced some of Indonesia's greatest men's doubles stars, is now plotting their downfall as he attempts to lead Malaysia to their first men's doubles title at the Indonesia Open in 15 years. The man known as the Fire Dragon is no stranger to the Istora — once his favourite battleground. But this time, he returns as the enemy. Since joining the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in February, Herry's impact has been electric, guiding national pairs to four consecutive titles on the World Tour since April. Unsurprisingly, his decision to cross over to Malaysia has not gone down well in Indonesia. With the once-dominant Indonesian pairs struggling for form, some fans are pointing fingers at Herry for their downfall. But the veteran coach insists he has no regrets. "It's normal for a coach to face these tough situations," Herry to Timesport. "I just have to enjoy the atmosphere. I'm not worried about the pressure. I've always said I'm a professional and will give my best to the national men's pairs I'm now coaching." Herry had steered Indonesia's men's doubles to nine home titles before moving to Malaysia. But now his mission is to end Malaysia's long drought — the last success coming from Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari in 2008. There's reason for hope. World No. 3 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are in fine form ahead of the Super 1000 event, which begins Tuesday. Aaron-Wooi Yik have already bagged three titles this year and are entering their fourth tournament in as many weeks. Fatigue could be a factor as they open against Denmark's world No. 16 Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard before a potential second-round showdown with India's 2023 Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (No. 27). The Malaysians recently beat the Indian pair in the Singapore Open semi-finals. Wei Chong-Kai Wun, meanwhile, have a more favourable path, beginning with Americans Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith (No. 33), and likely facing compatriots Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (No. 23) for a place in the quarter-finals. Top seeds and world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, an independent pair, should have little trouble overcoming Taiwan's Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen (No. 20) in their opener. Also flying the Malaysian flag are Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 28) and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 32).
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Aaron-Wooi Yik seek 'Fire Dragon' magic in Super 1000 hunt in Jakarta
KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore Open champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have credited national coach Herry IP for their impressive run of form as they eye their first Super 1000 crown at this week's Indonesia Open. The world No. 3 underlined their class by overcoming South Korea's world No. 10 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae 15-21, 21-18, 21-19 in a thrilling final on Sunday to capture their third title of the season, adding to their triumphs at the Badminton Asia Championships and the Thailand Open. Aaron was quick to heap praise on Herry, who has transformed them into a formidable force since joining the national set-up earlier this year. "We're glad to be this consistent, and we have to credit coach Herry for our recent success. He has really polished our game," said Aaron after their Singapore Open win. "We're more confident now when it comes to executing our strategy." Herry, dubbed the 'Fire Dragon', was initially criticised after the men's pairs crashed out in the first round of the All England — a result he himself described as his worst coaching experience. But the Indonesian tactician has since worked his magic. Under his guidance, not only have Aaron-Wooi Yik lifted three titles, but world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also claimed the Malaysia Masters title recently — beating their more experienced compatriots in the final. Wei Chong-Kai Wun had also won the Indonesia Masters in January, a month before Herry officially joined the BA of Malaysia (BAM). A tired but confident national squad now head to the Indonesia Open, which begins on Tuesday in Jakarta, hoping Herry can help end the nation's long wait for a men's doubles title — the last being Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakry Latif's win in 2008.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Zahid Hails Chia-Wooi Yik's Singapore Open 2025 Victory
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described national badminton men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's triumph at the 2025 Singapore Open as a moment that brought pride to the nation and united Malaysians in celebration and gratitude. In a Facebook post tonight, Ahmad Zahid expressed his pride in witnessing the pair's spirited comeback victory over South Korea's Kim Won Ho- Seo Sung Jae in a thrilling final. 'This victory is more than just a title. It is a symbol of unwavering fighting spirit, the resilience of two young Malaysians who never gave up, and a source of pride for the nation. 'I was informed that they had also met in the quarter-finals of the India Open in January, where Aaron and Wooi Yik lost in a hard-fought match. But today, they came back to redeem that defeat and proved their mettle on the final stage,' he said. Ahmad Zahid also expressed his admiration for the national pair, whom he described as heroes and an inspiration to Malaysians, and hoped they would continue forging ahead with courage for the nation. Aaron-Wooi Yik continued their excellent form by bouncing back from a first-set loss to clinch the 2025 Singapore Open title, marking their third championship win of the year. In their fourth final of the year, the former world champions and world No.3 pair defeated the fifth-seeded South Korean pair 15-21, 21-18, 21-19 in a tense 65-minute battle at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Adding to the sweetness of the win, the victory also ended Malaysia's 17-year drought in the men's doubles category at the Singapore Open, since the last triumph by Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif- Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari in the 2008 edition.
