Jun Hao can't get past China's Shi Feng
KUALA LUMPUR: Leong Jun Hao's campaign at the Indonesia Open came to a halt on Thursday after he was beaten by China's Li Shi Feng in the second round, ending his hopes of replicating last year's impressive run to the quarter-finals.
The world No. 25 went down 21-18, 21-18 to the world No. 4, failing to recreate the magic he produced earlier this year when he stunned Shi Feng for the first time at the India Open - a win that had snapped a four-match losing streak to the reigning Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist.
The 25-year-old Malaysian made a bright start in the opening game, racing to a 9-3 lead and then holding an 11-8 advantage at the interval.
But he was unable to hold off the fast-finishing Chinese shuttler, who turned the tide to take the first game.
In the second, Jun Hao again showed glimpses of his fighting spirit, clawing back from 14-9 down to level at 16-all — but he couldn't find the extra push needed to force a decider.
The defeat ended Malaysia's challenge in the men's singles event.
In women's doubles, youngsters Carmen Ting–Ong Xin Yee turned in a commendable effort before bowing out 21-15, 21-16 to Japan's Rin Iwanaga–Kie Nakanishi.
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