KUALA LUMPUR: Leong Jun Hao, who is the nation's sole representative in the men's singles after Lee Zii Jia's withdrawal, does not want to be seen as a makeshift player in his Malaysia Open debut.
Jun Hao aims to mount a strong challenge this time. After years of lack of results and struggling with injuries, he pulled off huge upsets over top-10 players en route to the final of the Kumamoto Masters in Japan last year.
"Making my debut here means a lot to me. Before this, I was struggling 30-40 in the world rankings and did not advance to a semis of high-level tournaments," the world No. 29 said at Axiata Arena today.
"It was only last year that I managed to become more consistent. I guess that is one good point of what I'm having right now."
The 25-year-old said the absence of star shuttler Zii Jia, who is recovering from an ankle injury, does not increase or lessen the pressure on his shoulders.
"The pressure will always be there, especially with Zii Jia not being here. The pressure of playing here is different to playing abroad. Of course, at home, I want to put on a good show," he added.
Jun Hao will meet China's world No. 16, Lu Guang Zu in the opening round, and it will be the first meeting between them.
And the local challenger needs no reminder that it was Guang Zu who knocked Zii Jia out of the Malaysia Open in the first round.