KUALA LUMPUR: There may still be hope for former Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao.
Despite the tremendous pressure to justify his place in the national squad, the men's singles shuttler seems to be enjoying a good run in form of late. Last month, Jun Hao inspired the men's team to a silver medal at the Phnom Penh Sea Games before clinching a bronze in the individual event.
And on Friday, the 24-year-old did exceptionally well to reach the quarter-finals of the Super 500 Thailand Open before succumbing 21-19, 21-11 to reigning Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen of India.Currently ranked No. 65 in the world, Jun Hao will likely break into the world's top 50 when the ranking list is updated later this week.
But with his newfound confidence, the Kuala Lumpur-born wants to challenge himself by breaking into the top 32 this year."I am beginning to feel more confident.
"I know what I should do to be more stable on court. My form as of late has been good, and I hope to ride on this momentum when I play in the Taiwan Open (from June 20-25).
"I should break into the top 50, but I'm targeting the top 32 this year," Jun Hao told Timesport when contacted in Bangkok.
Another national singles player, Ng Tze Yong, also crashed out in the quarter-finals on Friday.
World No. 24 Tze Yong lost 21-19, 23-21 to Hong Kong's Lee Check Yiu.The 23-year-old, who hopes to qualify for next year's Paris Olympics, will play at the Super 750 Singapore Open next week.