FORMER Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao is slowly but surely growing in confidence.
Today, the 23-year-old national men's singles checked into the main draw of the Super 300 Taiwan Open after scoring two straight wins in the qualifying round.
Jun Hao, who impressed in reaching the tournament proper of the Super 500 Malaysia Masters a fortnight ago, defeated Taiwan's Su Li Yang 21-19, 18-21, 21-12, before routing homester, Liao Jhuo Fu 11-21, 21.
Earlier, BA of Malaysia coaching director Wong Choong Hann had urged the Kuala Lumpur-born shuttler to build on his recent big wins, including collecting the scalps of world No 74 Cheam June Wei and Korea Open champion Weng Hong Yang of China, at the Malaysia Masters.
Jun Hao will face India's Subhankar Dey in the opening round today.
Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for Jun Hao's national teammates, Lim Chong King, and 20-year-old Jacky Kok, who crashed out in the qualifying round.
Chong King, 22, succumbed 22-20, 16-21, 21-16 to Taiwan's Chi Yu Jen, while the up-and-coming Jacky scored a hard fought 20-22, 21-10, 22-20 win over Slovakia's Milan Dratva in the first match before losing 21-19, 21-10 to Taiwan's Yu Sheng Po.
The other men's singles who will take to the court in the first round are independent shuttlers Yeoh Seng Zoe, Cheam June Wei and Soong Joo Ven.
RESULTS (Malaysians unless stated)
Men's singles qualifying, First round: Leong Jun Hao bt Su Li Yang (Tai) 21-9, 18-21, 21-12; Jacky Kok bt Milan Dratva (Svk) 20-22, 21-10, 22-20; Chi Yu Jen (Tai) bt Lim Chong King 22-20, 16-21, 21-16.
Second round: Leong Jun Hao bt Liao Jhuo Fu (Tai) 11-21, 22-20, 21-18; Yu Sheng Po (Tai) bt Jacky Kok 21-19, 21-10.
Mixed doubles, First round: Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei bt Chen Xin Yuan-Yang Ching Tun (Tai) 27-25, 21-13.