Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge ends early again as Leong Jun Hao falls in the second round, extending the home title drought to six editions.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge at the Malaysia Open has ended prematurely once again.
The nation’s last hope, Leong Jun Hao, bowed out in the second round at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
The unseeded world number 28 fell 18-21, 11-21 to Indonesia’s fourth seed Jonatan Christie in a 55-minute match.
Jun Hao said he gave his all but admitted his opponent’s higher quality was decisive. The victory levelled their head-to-head record at 3-3.
“I am disappointed because I felt that I had a chance to win but was unable to do it,” he told reporters.
The 26-year-old said the defeat taught him to be more patient when attacking.
After an underwhelming 2025 season with only two quarter-final appearances, Jun Hao hopes for better consistency this year.
Today’s loss extends Malaysia’s men’s singles title drought at its home tournament to six consecutive editions.
The last Malaysian quarter-finalist was Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei in 2018, the year he also won the title.
Last Tuesday, another Malaysian, Lee Zii Jia, crashed out in the opening round to India’s Ayush Shetty.
The Malaysia Open runs until Jan 11.
