Latest news with #JinWei
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Jun Hao advances, Jin Wei falls at Indonesia Open
KUALA LUMPUR: Sole representative Leong Jun Hao kept Malaysia's hopes alive in the men's singles at the Indonesia Open with an assured display to check into the second round on Wednesday. The world No. 25 dispatched Indonesia's world No. 44 Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 21-13, 21-12 in just 40 minutes at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta. Jun Hao will now look to emulate, if not better, his stunning run at last year's edition of the Super 1000 tournament, where he reached the quarter-finals on debut after upsetting home favourite Jonatan Christie and Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen, before bowing out to China's Li Shi Feng. He could be set for a rematch with world No. 4 Shi Feng in the last 16 - the reigning Asian Games gold medallist was still playing his opener against Brian Yang of Canada at press time. Jun Hao is hoping to carry on the momentum from last week's Singapore Open, where his impressive campaign ended in the hands of Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who went on to win the title and ascend to world No. 1. The recent results mark a welcome turnaround for Jun Hao after a difficult start to the year, which saw him suffer five first-round exits in his first eight tournaments. Meanwhile, in the women's singles, Goh Jin Wei's struggles continued after falling 22-20, 21-16 to Scotland's world No. 28 Kirsty Gilmour. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the world No. 49, who nearly stole the first game despite being 15-7 down at one stage. She mounted a remarkable fightback to level at 18-all and surged ahead 20-18, only to see Gilmour reel off the next four points. It was only the second career meeting between the two - the first coming nearly a decade ago at the 2015 Belgian International final, where Jin Wei, then just 15, emerged victorious as a rising star. The defeat marked Jin Wei's third successive first-round exit and her fifth in six World Tour events this year, continuing a worrying trend of inconsistency.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Redraw draws no cheers for Jin Wei as Ratchanok looms
PETALING JAYA: A last-minute change of opponent in the women's singles event at the Malaysian Masters did little to boost Goh Jin Wei's chances. The initial draw had pitted Jin Wei against 2020 champion Chen Yufei of China in the first round today at Axiata Arena. However, the world No. 8 had pulled out of the tournament, and a redraw saw the Malaysian set to face Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon instead. Ratchanok is a two-time winner of the tournament, having lifted the title back-to-back in 2018 and 2019. Ratchanok, the sixth seed, was originally drawn to face Vietnam's Nguyen Thuy Linh in the first round. Jin Wei has struggled against the Thai ace in the past, losing all four of their previous encounters. Their last meeting came two years ago at the Uber Cup Finals in Bangkok. Her coach Nova Armada admitted that the redraw offered no real advantage, saying it remained an equally tough challenge for Jin Wei as she aimed to go further in the tournament. 'To be honest, the challenge is equally tough even though she's now facing Ratchanok. ''But I think it is slightly better than going up against Yufei,' said Nova. 'In terms of preparation, Jin Wei has done everything right. But when you are drawn to meet a top opponent in the opening round, it will always be difficult. We have no choice but to try and put up a strong fight. 'Whether it is Yufei, Ratchanok or any other opponent, it makes little difference. All we can do is go all out and give our very best,' said Nova. Apart from Yufei, Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan and India's Tasnim Mir have also withdrawn from the tournament. Their absence paved the way for players like Asuka Takahashi, Huang Yu-hsun and Wen Yu Zhang to be promoted to the main draw.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
No easy way out for Jin Wei despite a redraw
PETALING JAYA: A last-minute change in opponent in the women's singles event at the Malaysian Masters did little to boost Goh Jin Wei's chances. The initial draw had pitted Jin Wei against 2020 champion Chen Yufei of China in the first round on Wednesday (May 21) at Axiata Arena. However, the world No. 8 pulled out of the tournament, and a redraw saw the Malaysian set to face Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon instead. Ratchanok is a two-time winner of the tournament, having lifted the title back-to-back in 2018 and 2019. Ratchanok, the sixth seed, was originally drawn to face Vietnam's Nguyen Thuy Linh in the first round. Jin Wei has struggled against the Thai ace in the past, losing all four of their previous encounters. Their last meeting came two years ago at the Uber Cup in Bangkok. Her coach Nova Armada admitted that the redraw offered no real advantage, saying it remains an equally tough challenge for Jin Wei as she aims to go further in the tournament. 'To be honest, the challenge is equally tough even though she's now facing Ratchanok. But I think it is slightly better than going up against Yufei," said Nova. 'In terms of preparation, Jin Wei has done everything right. But when you are drawn to meet a top opponent in the opening round, it will always be difficult. We have no choice but to try and put up a strong fight. 'Whether it is Yufei, Ratchanok or any other opponent, it makes little difference. All we can do is go all out and give our very best,' said Nova. Apart from Yufei, Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan and India's Tasnim Mir have also withdrawn from the tournament. Their absence paved the way for players like Asuka Takahashi, Huang Yu-hsun and Wen Yu Zhang to be promoted to the main draw.
New Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Don't risk Jin Wei against Japan in Xiamen, says her coach
KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Jin Wei should be rested for Malaysia's final Sudirman Cup group tie against Japan, says coach Nova Armada, who believes the national shuttler would be better off saving her energy for the quarter-finals. The Indonesian coach said world No 43 Jin Wei, who continues to battle health issues, has little chance of winning her match against Japan and should be spared from Thursday's tie in Xiamen, China. Malaysia have already secured their place in the quarter-finals after convincing wins over France and Australia. The clash against Japan will decide the Group C winners. Jin Wei, 25, has struggled to return to her best since taking a break from badminton due to a chronic stomach condition. She continues to suffer stomach cramps after matches, affecting her recovery and performance. Despite health issues, the two-time world junior champion recorded a straight-games win over France's Leonice Huet on Monday, sealing Malaysia's second point in their 5-0 rout. She was rested against Australia on Tuesday, with K. Letshanaa stepping in. Japan boast a formidable women's singles line-up, led by world No 4 and two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi and world No 8 Tomoka Miyazaki. Jin Wei has a poor record against Akane — winning just once in eight meetings — and has yet to face Tomoka. Nova admits Jin Wei is capable of putting up a fight but feels the effort would come at too high a cost. "In my opinion, it's better to rest Jin Wei against Japan and field her in the quarter-finals," said Nova. "Regardless of who Japan play, there's a 60-40 chance they'll win. Jin Wei can push them, but she'll be drained. "It would be a waste if we draw Indonesia or Denmark in the last eight and can't make the most of her. "For example, if we meet Indonesia, Jin Wei stands a better chance of stealing a point against Putri Kusuma Wardani." Nova added that with qualification already secured, keeping Jin Wei fresh is the smarter option — though the final call rests with the coaching staff in Xiamen.
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
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.
