KUALA LUMPUR: Leong Jun Hao could dash Hong Kong fans the pleasure of watching their home favourite, Lee Cheuk Yiu, reclaim the men's singles title at the Hong Kong Open on Thursday.
On Wednesday, world No. 29 Jun Hao ousted Hong Kong's fourth-ranked Chan Yin Chak, setting up a thrilling last-16 showdown with the 2019 champion and current Hong Kong No. 1, Cheuk Yiu.
Jun Hao overcame a sluggish start to defeat world No. 100 Yin Chak 4-21, 21-11, 21-17.
Interestingly, Hong Kong's singles squad is coached by former BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann, who played a key role in Jun Hao's development.
This will be the first encounter between Jun Hao and world No. 15 Cheuk Yiu, who heads into the match full of confidence after edging China's Lu Guang Zu 22-20, 21-19.
With only two home players left in the men's singles, Hong Kong's hopes rest squarely on Cheuk Yiu and world No. 56 Jason Gunawan.
Jason made headlines after a solid win over Japan's Kenta Nishimoto and now faces France's Christo Popov in the next round.
However, world No. 22 Angus Ng, the 2016 champion, was outclassed by Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, with the two-time Olympic champion cruising to a 21-11, 21-12 victory.
In mixed doubles, world No. 9 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei began their quest for consecutive World Tour titles with a comfortable 21-8, 21-18 win over Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Lin Jhih Yun.
Fresh from their Korea Open triumph, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will now face Hong Kong's Reginald Lee-Ng Tsz Yau, who overcame Malaysia's Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien 21-16, 19-21, 21-14, for spot in the quarter-finals.