Badminton News: Men’s singles badminton player Leong Jun Hao has qualified for the Thailand Open main draw after clearing two hurdles in the qualifying round yesterday.

Leong Jun Hao beat India’s Meiara Luwang 16-21, 21-5, 21-16 in the first qualifying round before beating compatriot Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin 21-15, 21-19 at Huamak Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.

“I was more confident and comfortable in the second game because I was more used to the conditions on the pitch. I will rest and prepare for the next game,” said Jun Hao, who will meet the Thai player. Sitthikom Thammasin in the first round.

Another Malaysian Badminton Association player, Cheam June Wei, has been promoted to the main draw and will face Chinese All-England champion Li Shifeng later today.

June Wei’s coach, Nova Armada, said there weren’t many upsides for June Wei, even though Shifeng will be playing in her third straight tournament.

Shifeng lost to Malaysia Masters winner HS Prannoy of India in the second round last week.

“It’s good for June Wei to appear in the main draw, but I don’t see a big advantage against Shifeng. Badminton China lost at the start of the Malaysia Masters and will be fresh here,” Nova said.

“I hope June Wei can successfully put up a tough fight against Shifeng. I also look forward to seeing Goh Jin Wei (women’s singles) continue to play three-game matches,” she said.

“He did it at the Sudirman Cup and the Malaysia Masters. If he can stay his condition will improve and we can improve his game after that. The fight now is to see him finish the game and he won’t don’t have to give a surprise.”

Jin Wei, who lost in the first round (21-17, 17-21, 21-15) to Germany’s Yvonne Li, will face Taiwan’s Hsu Wen-chi today.

Another player looking for redemption is men’s singles player Ng Tze Yong who will face India’s Priyanshu Rajawat in the first round.

Tze Yong will be looking to do better after losing in the first round to Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto at the Malaysia Masters.

Article Tags: Leong Jun Hao, Thailand Open 2023