National shuttler overcomes 11-tournament first-round streak, defeats China’s Wang in straight games
MALAYSIAN badminton player Leong Jun Hao (pic) finally broke his first-round curse at the Malaysia Open today, securing a straight-sets victory in the tournament that kicks off the 2026 World Tour season.
The 28th-ranked shuttler, who suffered opening-round defeats in 11 competitions throughout 2025, overcame China’s Wang Zheng Xing with a 21-17, 21-17 scoreline in a 48-minute contest at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
Jun Hao now stands as Malaysia’s sole representative in the men’s singles draw following Lee Zii Jia’s opening-day elimination yesterday against an Indian challenger.
The women’s singles category features no Malaysian players in the competition.
Meanwhile, in mixed doubles action, Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai progressed to round two after mounting a comeback victory against Taiwan’s Wu Guan Xun-Lee Chia Hsin, winning 15-21, 21-19, 21-14 across 55 minutes.
The Malaysian duo will next face Americans Presley Smith and Jennie Gai, who dispatched India’s Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto 21-15, 21-18, 21-15.
