Leong Jun Hao stuns world No. 5 Jonatan Christie to reach Singapore Open quarters
SINGAPORE, May 29 — National men's singles player Leong Jun Hao moved into the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open after pulling off a pleasant upset by defeating world number five Jonatan Christie from Indonesia.
Jun Hao, reported to be unwell before going into the match, however, won 21-16, 21-19 in straight sets after 53 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
'Since arriving in Singapore, I haven't been feeling well, so it affected my rhythm a bit today,' he told Bernama.
Not playing in the first round yesterday after receiving a walkover, the world number 25 player refused to give up even when his opponent tried to come back in the second set with more aggressive play.
'I tried to adapt as quickly as possible to the court conditions and focused on today's game. He (Jonatan) changed his game pattern in the second set, but I managed to hold on to secure the victory,' he said.
The third victory out of five matches against Jonatan also saw Jun Hao reach the quarter-finals for the first time this year, after his best results previously were only in the second round (Round of 16) at the India Open last January and the Swiss Open last March.
The country's sole men's singles player in the Super 750 tournament is determined to play more consistently from now on by improving his current playing style.
'Since last year my performance has been up and down. So start from this, I want to do the best,' said Jun Hao who will face world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand tomorrow for a semi-final spot.
The reigning Thailand Open champion earlier defeated Wang Zheng Xing from China 21-8, 21-17. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
From threatened waters to dinner tables: Study shows six endangered species sold as fish maw in Malaysia and Singapore shops
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — DNA from six critically endangered and endangered fish species has been found in fish maw products sold in stores across Malaysia and Singapore, according to a new study released last week. Researchers identified DNA from the European eel and large yellow croaker — both listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) — in samples taken from shops in both countries, The Straits Times reported today. Eleven of those samples came from the European eel, despite the European Union banning its export in 2010. 'It's not that surprising that eel maw has been sold, because you can find the eels here,' National University of Singapore (NUS) Assistant Professor Benjamin Wainwright, one of the study's authors, was quoted as saying. 'But it's interesting that the European eel is still making it here, because that should have been banned a long time ago.' The most commonly identified species was the blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus), which accounted for 58 of the 480 samples tested. The blackspotted croaker is listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List – meaning it is at risk of becoming endangered in the near future. Four other endangered species in the fish maw samples were listed as: the cassava croaker, American eel, fourfinger threadfin, and iridescent shark. The findings were published on June 24 in the journal Conservation Letters by Wainwright and Seah Ying Giat of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). Fish maw is made from the dried swim bladder of fish. It is considered a delicacy as well as a social status symbol for the rich that is believed to offer health benefits that is widely consumed across South-east Asia and East Asia. Between October and December 2023, the NUS-UMT researchers collected fish maw samples from Malaysian shops, followed by stores in Singapore from January to April 2024. A total of 39 different fish species were identified after the DNA extraction from 118 samples in Malaysia and 362 in Singapore. According to Wainwright, identifying species by sight is nearly impossible as the fish maw has been heavily processed. 'Fish maw has been processed, flattened, cleaned and washed. 'You can't determine what species the maw comes from without using genetic methods – so we have no idea of what species are involved in this trade in South-east Asia,' he was quoted as saying. Fresh fish maw is also served at some restaurants in Malaysia. — Picture by Ethan Lau He added that trade regulations are further complicated by broad commodity classifications. 'Commodity codes are meant to say, this is shark fin, this is shrimp, this is fish maw – but at the moment, all these products are lumped together and imported as dried fish goods.' Chester Gan, marine lead at Singapore's World Wide Fund for Nature urged consumers and companies to consider sustainability. 'Given that fish maw may originate from fisheries with little data, endangered species, or unsustainable fishing practices that harm vulnerable marine life, we urge both consumers and businesses to consider more sustainable alternatives,' he told The Straits Times. Gan also called on businesses to review their supply chains to ensure responsible sourcing. Wainwright said the best approach was to avoid fish maw altogether if the species, country of origin or sustainability could not be verified. 'The hope is, as more people become aware of the damage caused by unsustainable fishing, they may turn away from products of unknown origin and towards seafood from sustainable fisheries. 'Otherwise, when a species targeted for fish maw gets fished out, it's very likely we'll turn to another species and fish that one out, and then do the same for the next ones,' he added.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Coach happy with Tang Jie-Ee Wei's smashing relationship
KUALA LUMPUR: Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei look chatty and cheery in training — a far cry from the sulky break-up pair of a few months ago. For national mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto, this means the world No. 4 pair have buried the hatchet, and he can work on getting them ready for the next level. Personal differences led to Tang Jie-Ee Wei going separate ways after their first round loss at the All England in March. But after a brief split, they resumed their partnership at the Singapore Open last month. Nova said the biggest change in the duo's partnership since the turbulent period is their willingness to accept defeat. "There are now no problems at all between Tang Jie and Ee Wei. They are both happy and enjoy training, and their communication has been very good. "The biggest lesson Tang Jie-Ee Wei have learnt is to accept defeat as this was an issue they faced sometimes previously. It's all in the past. "Now I can focus on building their performance and skills to realise their true potential. "I have to keep motivating Tang Jie-Ee Wei and give them the confidence to move up to the next level." Nova said their "past issues" should not be an excuse anymore, and Tang Jie-Ee Wei need to fight for World Tour titles, which they haven't won any this year. Tang Jie-Ee Wei lost in the second round of the Singapore Open last month but reached the semi-finals of the Indonesia Open four weeks ago. The duo will compete in the Japan Open (July 15-20) and China Open (July 22-27). Tang Jie-Ee Wei are also seeded top in the Macau Open (July 29-Aug 3).
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore to assess climate threats to Pulau Tekong, Southern Islands and more in sea level rise study by 2026
SINGAPORE, June 28 – Singapore will launch a study by 2026 to assess the risks of rising sea levels on selected offshore islands and explore suitable coastal protection strategies, its national water agency PUB said today. CNA reported that tender for the risk assessment study has been issued, and it will examine both the potential impact of climate change on these islands and the timeline for implementing defence measures. 'Rising sea levels will pose risks to Singapore's offshore islands,' CNA cited Hazel Khoo, director of PUB's coastal protection department. 'Some are home to rich biodiversity and heritage, and are spaces enjoyed by many, while others serve industrial and defence purposes.' PUB said eight islands were selected based on a preliminary assessment of their vulnerability: Pulau Tekong, the Southern Islands (St John's and Lazarus), Kusu Island, Sisters' Islands (Pulau Subar Laut and Pulau Subar Darat), Pulau Bukom, Pulau Hantu, Pulau Pawai, and Pulau Senang. Other islands not included in the study will be assessed as part of broader development or planning initiatives by respective agencies. Pulau Ubin and Pulau Ketam will be covered in a future site-specific study for the north-eastern coast, including Punggol and Pasir Ris, while Semakau Landfill will be evaluated by the National Environment Agency for potential development. According to the third National Climate Change Study published in January 2024, sea levels around Singapore could rise by up to 1.15 metres by 2100, and up to 2 metres by 2150 under high emissions scenarios, based on UN climate data. PUB is also conducting site-specific coastal protection studies on the mainland, including areas along the city-east coast, Jurong Island, and both sections of the north-west coast, with studies for Sentosa and the south-west coast set to begin by 2026. PUB said the study's findings will also shape the planning of future, more detailed research on the islands.
