Latest news with #JunHao
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Jonassen frustrated by Leong's tame loss to Lanier
A struggle: Leong Jun Hao did not put up much resistance against Frenchman Alex Lanier (inset) in the first round of the Japan Open. PETALING JAYA: Reality has bitten men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao hard after his sobering defeat to Frenchman Alex Lanier in the Japan Open first round. World No. 24 Jun Hao was hoping to pull off an upset over world No. 8 Lanier but found the latter too hot to handle and lost tamely 12-21, 14-21 in 40 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday. The 26-year-old's defeat marked the end of Malaysia's challenge in the men's singles in the tourney as he was the country's sole representative in the event. Singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen could not hide his frustration after seeing his charge capitulate against the defending champion without putting up much resistance. 'Jun Hao lacks the consistency to challenge this kind of playing style and level,' said Jonassen. 'I'm also quite worried about how far away we are today from being able to push and make Lanier uncomfortable. 'Jun Hao tried his best but never got comfortable due to the pace, zero mistakes and point-by-point hard fighting attitude of his opponent which led to him feeling pressured in most rallies.' Jonassen admitted that Jun Hao's form was worrying with the World Championships coming up in Aug 25-31 in Paris and said that the player really needed to step up his game. 'I hate losing but worse is being unable to challenge a good opponent. 'Before this tournament, I was looking for answers in terms of preparation for the worlds, and what level are we at? 'Today I got some answers, we have a long way to go! Going forward, it's time to step up.' Jun Hao has been struggling for form this year with his best performance coming in the Singapore Open last month where he made it to the quarter-finals. The 2017 Asian Junior champion has suffered early round defeats in all his other individual events so far this year. On where Jun Hao needed to urgently improve on before the world meet, Jonassen said: 'There are two areas. First is pace of play which is the key. Being able to play faster and deal with opponents' fast-paced games. 'Second is he needs to realise the importance of each point. Understanding and accepting how much each point means against players at the highest level. 'If you don't make them uncomfortable and doubt themselves, they will do this to you.' Before the Paris showpiece event, Jun Hao has one last chance to prove that he can raise his game when he competes next in the China Open which starts next Tuesday in Changzhou.
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Jonassen can't hide his frustration over Jun Hao's tame loss to Lanier
National men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao in action against Ireland's Nhat Nguyen in the first round of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Wednesday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Reality has bitten men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao hard after his sobering defeat to Frenchman Alex Lanier in the Japan Open first round. World No. 24 Jun Hao was hoping to pull off an upset over world No. 8 Lanier but found the latter too hot to handle and lost tamely 12-21, 14-21 in 40 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday. The 26-year-old's defeat marked the end of Malaysia's challenge in the men's singles in the tourney as he was the country's sole representative in the event. Singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen could not hide his frustration after seeing his charge capitulate against the defending champion without putting up much resistance. "Jun Hao lacks the consistency to challenge this kind of playing style and level," said Jonassen. "I'm also quite worried about how far away we are today from being able to push and make Lanier uncomfortable. "Jun Hao tried his best but never got comfortable due to the pace, zero mistakes and point-by-point hard fighting attitude of his opponent which led to him feeling pressured in most rallies." Jonassen admitted that Jun Hao's form was worrying with the World Championships coming up in Aug 25-31 in Paris and said that the player really needed to step up his game. "I hate losing but worse is being unable to challenge a good opponent. Before this tournament, I was looking for answers in terms of preparation for the worlds, and what level are we at? "Today I got some answers, we have a long way to go! Going forward, it's time to step up." Jun Hao has been struggling for form this year with his best performance coming in the Singapore Open last month where he made it to the quarter-finals. The 2017 Asian Junior champion has suffered early round defeats in all his other individual events so far this year. On where Jun Hao needed to urgently improve on before the world meet, Jonassen said: "There are two areas. First is pace of play which is the key. Being able to play faster and deal with opponents' fast-paced games. "Second is he needs to realise the importance of each point. ''Understanding and accepting how much each point means against players at the highest level. "If you don't make them uncomfortable and doubt themselves, they will do this to you." Before the Paris showpiece event, Jun Hao has one last chance to prove that he can raise his game when he competes next in the China Open which starts next Tuesday in Changzhou.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jun Hao's early Japan Open exit worries coach Jonassen
KUALA LUMPUR: Leong Jun Hao's limp first-round exit at the Japan Open has sparked concern from national coaching director Kenneth Jonassen, who questioned Malaysia's ability to challenge the world's top men's singles shuttlers. World No. 24 Jun Hao was outclassed 21-12, 21-14 by France's world No. 8 Alex Lanier at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Tuesday, and Jonassen didn't mince his words. "We lack the consistency to compete against this kind of playing style and level," said the Dane bluntly. "I'm also quite worried about how far off we are today from being able to push and make Lanier uncomfortable." Although the 26-year-old Malaysian never threw in the towel, Jonassen admitted Lanier's intensity and clinical execution left Jun Hao on the back foot throughout. "Jun Hao tried his best but never got comfortable due to the pace Lanier was pushing. That led to him feeling pressured in most rallies," he added. The defeat not only ended Jun Hao's campaign early but also cast serious doubt on his readiness for next month's World Championships in Paris. "Before this tournament, I was looking for answers about our level ahead of the World Championships. Today, I got some, and we have a long way to go," said Jonassen. Jun Hao will be hoping for a better outing at next week's Super 1000 China Open.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Jun Hao exits early in Japan Open
PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao's Japan Open campaign ended early after he went down to Frenchman Alex Lanier in the first round. World No. 24 Jun Hao, who was Malaysia's sole representative in the singles in the tourney, found world No. 8 and defending champion Lanier a tough nut to crack and lost 12-21, 14-21 in 40 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Tuesday (July 15). Jun Hao must next try to lift himself for the China Open, which starts next Tuesday (July 22) in Changzhou. Meanwhile, Lanier would continue his bid to defend his title when he takes on Indonesia's Alwi Farhan in the second round.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jun Hao outgunned by Lanier in Japan Open opener
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 24 Leong Jun Hao's hopes of a memorable return to the Land of the Rising Sun were dashed after he fell to defending champion Alex Lanier in the opening round of the Japan Open on Tuesday. The 26-year-old Malaysian went down tamely 21-12, 21-14 to the 20-year-old Lanier, the world No. 8, who won the Super 750 title last year for a major career breakthrough. It was their first career meeting, and Jun Hao couldn't recreate the form that saw him finish runner-up at the Kumamoto Masters last November or upset world No. 4 Jonatan Christie at the Singapore Open in May. It was Jun Hao's first opening-round exit in three outings, after gradually finding his footing again following a patchy start to the season.
