LEONG Jun Hao has got a lot of catching up to do but the 20-year-old is ready to put in the hard work.
Yesterday, the 2017 Asian junior champion did well to reach the third round of the Malaysia International Series, his first international tournament this season.
Jun Hao, who has been struggling with injuries, saw off 19-year-old Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin 9-21, 21-15, 21-13 in the second round and will face second seed Cheam June Wei today.
The Kuala Lumpur shuttler said: “Despite being far from my best, it was still a good win.
“I am still very cautious on court and I am not as fit as I used to be, I will get there though.
“Also, I think it's good that our coaching director (Wong Choong Hann) spoke about focusing more on the younger shuttlers. I promise to give my best to earn his trust.”
While Aidil failed to get past the second round, Lim Chong King, 19, continued his impressive run in the tournament when he upset ninth seed, Andre Marteen of Indonesia 22-20, 22-20.
Chong King will play Indonesian Muhammad Febriansyah for a place in the quarter-finals.
As expected, top seed Soong Joo Ven, Mohd Ziyad Md Tah, Lim Chi Wing, Chong Yee Han, Tan Jia Wei and Misbun Ramdan Mohmed Misbun, all cleared the second round.
In the women’s singles second round, defending champion S. Kisona, playing in only her third tournament this season, scored an impressive 21-9, 21-14 upset win over third seed Bening Sri Rahayu of Indonesia.
Kisona, who was the champion in 2017, will play Taiwan’s Peng Li Ting next.
Second seed, Ho Yen Mei, and Eoon Qi Xuan were the other Malaysian women’s singles to reach the third round.