Latest news with #Jonatan
New Straits Times
31-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jun Hao needs to be 'consistently world class'
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 25 Leong Jun Hao once again beat a top 10 shuttler at this week's Singapore Open, but fans were left wishing for something more. And national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen wants to see consistency from him. Jun Hao toppled Indonesia's world No. 5 Jonatan Christie 21-16, 21-19, but fell to Thailand's world No. 2 Kunlavut Vittidsarn 21-13, 21-11 in the quarter-finals. "Beating a top player is very important and at the same time, qualifying for a quarter-final in a World Tour 750 event gives him the opportunity to play another world-class player, Kunlavut," said Jonassen. "I believe consistency is the area which needs to be improved on. This ability to slightly adjust to another opponent with different strengths and weaknesses will help Jun Hao progress." Jun Hao, who received a walkover from China's world No. 27 Lei Lan Xi in the Singapore Open first round, upstaged Jonatan for the third time in five meetings. Jonassen commended Jun Hao for overcoming a slow start to deal with an aggressive Jonatan who recently turned professional. "I am truly happy with his performance and was surprised with the way he approached the game against Jonatan," said Jonassen. "I liked the aggression, his playing style and the attitude on court, but at the same time, showed the patience that was needed. And he took the opportunity." Last November, Jun Hao beat a string of world's top 20 players — India's Lakshya Sen (No. 17), Japan's Koki Watanabe (No. 14) and Kodai Naraoka (No. 8), and Jonatan before losing to China's world No. 4 Li Shi Feng in the Kumamoto Masters final in Japan. That remains his career best result, and the quarter-final in Singapore was his best effort this year. Badminton Mar 12, 2025 @ 3:18am Jun Hao laments nerves, lack of patience in All England exit Badminton May 30, 2025 @ 5:47am Kunlavut, Jun Hao were once equals, now they're worlds apart Badminton Feb 15, 2025 @ 5:00am Jun Hao has what it takes to be a world beater Badminton May 30, 2025 @ 5:07am Jun Hao falls to world champ Kunlavut at Singapore Open
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Singapore Open: Jun Hao ousts Jonatan Christie to earn slot in quarterfinals
NATIONAL men's singles player Leong Jun Hao moved into the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open after pulling off a pleasant upset by defeating world number five Jonatan Christie from Indonesia. Jun Hao, reported to be unwell before going into the match, however, won 21-16, 21-19 in straight sets after 53 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. 'Since arriving in Singapore, I haven't been feeling well, so it affected my rhythm a bit today,' he told Bernama. Not playing in the first round yesterday after receiving a walkover, the world number 25 player refused to give up even when his opponent tried to come back in the second set with more aggressive play. 'I tried to adapt as quickly as possible to the court conditions and focused on today's game. He (Jonatan) changed his game pattern in the second set, but I managed to hold on to secure the victory,' he said. The third victory out of five matches against Jonatan also saw Jun Hao reach the quarter-finals for the first time this year, after his best results previously were only in the second round (Round of 16) at the India Open last January and the Swiss Open last March. The country's sole men's singles player in the Super 750 tournament is determined to play more consistently from now on by improving his current playing style. 'Since last year my performance has been up and down. So start from this, I want to do the best,' said Jun Hao who will face world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand tomorrow for a semi-final spot. The reigning Thailand Open champion earlier defeated Wang Zheng Xing from China 21-8, 21-17.
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Jun Hao beats Jonatan Christie to reach S'pore Open quarterfinals
NATIONAL men's singles player Leong Jun Hao moved into the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open after pulling off a pleasant upset by defeating world number five Jonatan Christie from Indonesia. Jun Hao, reported to be unwell before going into the match, however, won 21-16, 21-19 in straight sets after 53 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. 'Since arriving in Singapore, I haven't been feeling well, so it affected my rhythm a bit today,' he told Bernama. Not playing in the first round yesterday after receiving a walkover, the world number 25 player refused to give up even when his opponent tried to come back in the second set with more aggressive play. 'I tried to adapt as quickly as possible to the court conditions and focused on today's game. He (Jonatan) changed his game pattern in the second set, but I managed to hold on to secure the victory,' he said. The third victory out of five matches against Jonatan also saw Jun Hao reach the quarter-finals for the first time this year, after his best results previously were only in the second round (Round of 16) at the India Open last January and the Swiss Open last March. The country's sole men's singles player in the Super 750 tournament is determined to play more consistently from now on by improving his current playing style. 'Since last year my performance has been up and down. So start from this, I want to do the best,' said Jun Hao who will face world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand tomorrow for a semi-final spot. The reigning Thailand Open champion earlier defeated Wang Zheng Xing from China 21-8, 21-17.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jun Hao upsets Jonatan to advance to last eight in Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao stunned world No. 5 Jonatan Christie to reach the Singapore Open quarter-finals today (May 29). Jun Hao, who is world No. 25, secured a 21-16, 21-19 victory (53 minutes) over the Indonesian in their second round encounter. The win improved Jun Hao's head-to-head record against Jonatan, who recently turned professional, to 3-2. Jun Hao had also beaten Jonatan in their previous encounter in the Kunamoto Masters (Japan) semi-finals in November where the Malaysian finished runner-up for the first time in a Super 500 event. Jun Hao will face Thailand's world No. 2 Kunlavut Vitidsarn tomorrow.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Jun Hao stuns former Asian champion Jonatan at Singapore Open
PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao pulled off a stunning upset over Indonesia's former Asian champion Jonatan Christie in the Singapore Open's second round on Thursday (May 29). Jonatan had a tough first round, overcoming Ireland's Nhat Nguyen, while Jun Hao advanced without playing after China's Lei Lanxi withdrew, giving him a walkover. The extra day of rest benefited Jun Hao, who looked sharp and composed, dominating the first game against the world No. 5. Despite a late push from the Indonesian, Jun Hao remained calm to secure a well-earned 21-16, 21-19 victory and a place in the quarter-finals. This win was a sweet return for Jun Hao, avenging his defeat to Jonatan in their last meeting at the All-England in March, which ended the Malaysian's dream debut at the prestigious tournament. It was also Jun Hao's second win over Jonatan in four meetings. Up next for Jun Hao in the quarter-finals is Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who earlier downed China's Wang Zhengxing 21-8, 21-17.
