Latest news with #JonatanChristie
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Leong Jun Hao stuns world No. 5 Jonatan Christie to reach Singapore Open quarters
SINGAPORE, May 29 — 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. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Jun Hao stuns world No 5 Jonatan Christie at Singapore Open
Leong Jun Hao will next meet reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who won the Thailand Open title two weeks ago. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : After five consecutive first round losses this year, national singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao caused a major upset at the Singapore Open today when he defeated Indonesian Jonatan Christie to move into the quarter-finals. Displaying powerful smashes, Jun Hao won in straight games of 21-16, 21-19 to overcome the world No 5 in 53 minutes. The Malaysian, ranked world No 25, had qualified for the second round yesterday when his Chinese opponent, Lei Lanxi, gave him a walkover. After losing the first game, Jonatan came back strongly to lead 18-15 in the second game but Jun Hao took the next four points before going on to win the match. It was his third victory over the Indonesian No 1 in five meetings. In the quarter-finals tomorrow, Jun Hao will face a stiff test against reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who won the Thailand Open title two weeks ago. He last met Kunlavut, the world No 2, at the Thailand Open last year where the homester won in three games. Jun Hao also had an impressive run at the Singapore Open last year, defeating Kanta Tsuneyama in the first round, and causing an upset by beating two-time champion Anthony Ginting in the second round before losing to Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
The Star
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Jonatan hits out at BWF for focusing on new format than packed schedule
Jonatan Christie of Indonesia. - AFP PETALING JAYA: The Badminton World Federation's (BWF) plan to change the scoring system from 21 to 15 points continues to receive a lukewarm response from top players around the world. Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie is the latest to question the move, pointing out that the real issue BWF should be addressing is the congested calendar that elite shuttlers are forced to navigate throughout the season. Jonatan believes the current 21-point format works well and sees no need for a change. Instead, he urged BWF to reconsider the rule that compels top players to compete in a high number of tournaments on the BWF World Tour each year, a demand that is taking a toll on their bodies. According to BWF regulations, top players are compulsory to play all four Super 1000, six Super 750, and up to two Super 500 events. "I don't know what BWF are thinking. I feel the 21-point system is fine, but there are just too many tournaments right now, and many players have complained about injuries due to fatigue," said Jonatan, who is competing in the ongoing Sudirman Cup. "But as for the scoring system, I don't see any reason to change it from 21 to 15. Several players have previously voiced their frustration over the packed tournament schedule set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), including badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who back in 2018 said he was even willing to pay a fine for not fulfilling the governing body's mandatory tournament commitments. Other players who have spoken out on the issue include two-time Olympic Games champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and American shuttler Zhang Beiwen. As for the proposed scoring change, newly elected BWF president Patama Leeswadtrakul is keen to press ahead, believing the 3x15 format offers a fresh experience not just for players but also for fans. "BWF have been actively testing the 3x15 scoring system, and early findings have identified three key benefits — more exciting rallies, closer contests, and shorter match durations, which could help with tournament scheduling," said Patama. The new system is currently being tested at lower-tier tournaments, including the National Under-18 Championships held in Ipoh, Perak, last week. All feedback and findings from these trials will be submitted to BWF for further evaluation. Officials from member associations, tournament organisers, volunteers, players, coaches, team managers and technical officials involved in the trials will be asked to complete an online survey to share their experience with the 3x15 format. The data will then be reviewed at the next BWF council meeting before being presented at the 2026 annual general Meeting. Only after that will BWF decide whether to adopt the new format in place of the current 21-point system.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Jonatan and Co hope to standout in mouth-watering clash against Denmark
Powers on: Indonesia's Jonatan Christie hits a return against India's H.S. Prannoy during their men's singles match at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China. - AFP PETALING JAYA: Indonesia and Denmark are set for a thrilling showdown on Thursday (May 1) to determine the winners in this year's group of death clash at the Sudirman Cup. This clash mirrors the 2021 edition in Vantaa, Finland, where both teams also competed for top spot in their group. Indonesia edged Denmark 3-2 then, and they'll be hoping for a repeat performance this time around. The Indonesians are riding high after a convincing 4-1 victory over India, one of the tournament's favourites, in their Group D tie on Wednesday. The standout performer was Putri Kusuma, who pulled off a stunning upset over 2019 world champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist P. V. Sindhu, winning 21-12, 21-13 in just 38 minutes. "I couldn't believe it myself. Of course, I was nervous before the match, but there was so much support behind me. I just wanted to enjoy the moment because I had nothing to lose," said Putri. "I wanted to prove something to myself. I had lost to Sindhu in our previous encounters, so this wasn't just about winning; I wanted to show that women's singles can deliver vital points for Indonesia." Indonesia's remaining points came from men's singles ace Jonatan Christie, the women's doubles pair of Lanny Tria-Siti Fadia, and the men's doubles duo of Shohibul Fikri-Daniel Marthin. This result has only fuelled Indonesia's hunger, especially after returning empty-handed from the last two editions, despite being the inaugural champions in 1989 and six-time runners-up. "Of course, I want Indonesia to reach the quarter-finals first, and then go as far as possible in the tournament," said Jonatan. "I've had many bitter memories at the Sudirman Cup. The past still lingers in my mind, and it's been a strong motivation for me to avoid repeating those mistakes this time. I'm really happy that I was finally able to contribute a point to the team." European champions Denmark had no trouble sweeping aside England 5-0, despite the absence of reigning world and Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen, who was sidelined by injury. Head coach Thomas Stavngaard faces a tougher task, as the European side have endured a medal drought in the tournament for more than a decade, with their last podium finish being a bronze in 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.
Reuters
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Christie begins All England title defence with Leong win
BIRMINGHAM, England, March 11 (Reuters) - Indonesian world number two Jonatan Christie began his title defence with a 21-11 21-19 victory over Jun Hao Leong of Malaysia on day one of the All England Open badminton championships in Birmingham on Tuesday. Third seed Christie continued a run of strong performances, having reached the semi-finals of the India Open in January before heading into the Indonesia Masters final, where he lost to Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. "I'm so glad I have the opportunity to be (coming here as) the champion," Christie said. "Last year, I came here with nothing. The first four tournaments of last year, I lost in the first and second rounds. I came here with nothing to lose, I just pushed myself 100% but this year is really different." The 27-year-old, who won his first Super 1000 title at the 2024 event, will face India's Lakshya Sen in the last 16. Top seed and 2018 winner Shi Yu Qi of China dispatched Indonesia's Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 21-13 21-8 while compatriot Li Shi Feng, world number six, came from behind to beat Canadian Brian Yang 21-11 18-21 21-16. In the women's singles, two-times world champion and last year's finalist Akane Yamaguchi powered through an intense first game to beat Thuy Linh Nguyen of Vietnam 21-19 21-12, as she hopes for better fortune in this year's tournament. The Japanese world number three, winner in 2022, was forced to retire from the 2024 final due to a hip injury with Spain's Carolina Marin, who is yet to return to the sport after the Olympics, claiming the title. Yamaguchi will play Indian world number 28 Malvika Bansod for a spot in the quarter-finals. South Korean top seed An Se-young, the Olympic gold medallist in Paris, will face China's Gao Fangjie on Wednesday as she looks to regain the title she won in 2023.
