BANGKOK, June 2 — Lady luck was against national men’s single shuttlers Ng Tze Yong and Leong Jun Hao, after both crashed out in the quarterfinals of the Thailand Open 2023 at the Huamak Indoor Stadium, earlier today.
World number 24 Ng went down 21 - 23, 19 - 21 to Lee Cheuk Yiu from Hong Kong, while Leong was beaten by world number 23 Lakshya Sen from India 19 - 21, 11 - 21.
In the first game, Ng was leading 15 - 11 but Lee clawed his way back to tie at 15 - 15. It was neck-and-neck from there on when the game was tied at 19 - 19. However, Lee stepped up the tempo and wrapped up the set at 23 - 21.
In the second game, Ng was again leading 14 - 5 and again Lee staged a remarkable comeback and managed to draw level at 16 - 16. Both fought hard but the player from Hong Kong prevailed towards the finish line to emerge victorious.
“I did not grab the opportunity,” said a visibly disappointed Ng after the match.
[caption id="attachment_289081" align="aligncenter" width="797"]
Leong Jun Hao winning against Cheam June Wei in the Indonesia Masters 2022, at Malang, Indonesia, on October 3, 2022. — Picture via TWITTER/BAM[/caption]
Meanwhile, Leong who was leading 16 - 10 in the first game went down 19 - 21 after the Indian world number 23 Lakshya staged a superb comeback to clinch the set.
In the second, Lakshya came out firing to lead 11 - 4 and wrapped up the game 21 - 11.
“It is a frustrating game. I was leading in the first game but I missed the opportunities. However, he changed his playing style and I started to lose crucial points.
“In the second game I did not attack well and my confidence waned as the game progressed,” Leong told Bernama.
He will compete in the Taipei Open 2023 which will be held from June 20 to June 25.
— Bernama
