KUALA LUMPUR – National men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao showed who’s boss on his home turf as he defeated Chinese Taipei’s Lee Chia-hao in the final of the Kuala Lumpur Masters at the Titiwangsa Stadium today.
The world number 43 dispatched his opponent in straight sets, 22-20, 21-13, in the match that lasted 43 minutes.
Jun Hao said that he felt the pressure of playing on home ground but kept his cool to seal the win.
“Coming to this tournament, I wanted to fight for the title, and everyone was hoping for me to win, so the pressure was on me to deliver. But I managed to keep my cool in the final hurdle to clinch the title.
“I was leading all the way, and I just kept my focus until the last point. Finally, when I won, I felt lighter.
“I thank all who came to support me,” he said, dedicating the win to the Badminton Association of Malaysia, his family, and teammates.
Meanwhile, Jun Hao, who was seeded second in the men’s singles, had the fans worried in the second set when he called the physio to get some treatment on his leg.
“I felt a blister on my feet. I felt it during the rally, and I called the medic straight away to get some treatment,” he said.
This is Jun Hao’s second World Tour title, having won the Indonesian Masters last year, which is also a Super 100 event.
His next assignment is the Korean Masters, a Super 300 event starting on Tuesday.
Earlier, Malaysia’s hopes of winning three out of the three finals today were dashed by Chen Cheng-kuan and Chen Sheng-fa of Chinese Taipei.
They defeated Low Hang Yee and Ng Eng Cheong, 23-21, 21-17, in 40 minutes. – November 5, 2023