KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — National men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao's gallant run in the Japan Masters ended in a runner-up finish when he went down 10-21, 13-21 to China's Li Shi Feng in the final at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium today.
But credit to the world number 31 Malaysian as he fought valiantly for 41 minutes against the world number nine Li before succumbing in the World Tour Super 500 event and missing out on the biggest title of his career.
It was Leong's fourth loss to Shi Feng in as many matches, having suffered a similar fate in the Thomas Cup, the Malaysia Masters, and the Indonesia Open — all played this year.
The 25-year-old advanced to the Japan Open final with a stunning 10-21, 21-18, 22-20 win over 2024 All England champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in an energy-sapping 71-minute semi-final battle yesterday, while Li also produced a shock when he upset two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen 21-16, 21-15.
Leong's previous best outing in the World Tour event included finishing runner-up in the Super 300 Thailand Master in 2018, as well as winning the Super 100 Indonesia Masters in 2022 and the KL Masters Malaysia Super 100 in 2023.
— Bernama
