Lanier Sends Jun Hao Packing In First Round Of Japan Open
The 26-year-old Malaysian found the world number eight Lanier a tough nut to crack at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium as the Frenchman began his campaign in style at the Land of the Rising Sun.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian camp will be hoping for better fortunes in the doubles events later this afternoon, with Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (men's doubles) as well as Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting and Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing (women's doubles) taking to the courts.
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The Star
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- The Star
Aina won't let tender years stop her from big aims
PETALING JAYA: Nur Aina Maisarah Hatta is one of the youngest shuttlers in the Malaysian team headed to the Asian Junior Championships which starts on Friday in Solo, Indonesia, but she is not letting that stop her from aiming big in the tourney. The 15-year-old, who is set to compete in both the girls' doubles and mixed doubles with Nuraqilah Maisarah Ramdan and Irfan Shazmir respectively, is out to win a medal in her debut Asian meet. Aina and Nuraqilah only combined in April but did not take long to impress by finishing runners-up to teammates and last year's World Junior Championships silver medallists Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu in the Slovak Open in May. While all attention has been on Dania-Zi Yu, Aina and the 18-year-old Nuraqilah have gone under the radar but this suits them just fine as they look to produce a good show in Solo. 'I'm one of the youngest in the Asian Juniors team but I want to prove myself by doing well,' said Aina, after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday. 'I know that expectations are higher on Dania-Zi Yu as they are our top girls' doubles pair and the pressure is less on me and Nuraqilah. 'We will use this as an advantage. We want to show that we can step up too. We want to go as far as possible and try to win a medal.' Meanwhile, Nuraqilah, who has been chosen as the team captain along with Datu Anif Isaac, is ready to shoulder the responsibility to support her teammates and guide her younger partner in the tourney. 'I know I have more responsibilities as I'm older than Aina and need to guide her. I was also surprised to be chosen as team captain. I hope to justify the coaches' selection,' said Nuraqilah. 'The coaches decided to combine me and Aina to see if we could play well together. The Slovak Open was only our second tournament together, so we didn't expect to reach the final. 'Both of us are fast on court, so we could match each other's rhythm and gel well. 'We discuss a lot on where to improve on and our understanding is getting better.''
The Star
28 minutes ago
- The Star
Jonassen frustrated by Leong's tame loss to Lanier
A struggle: Leong Jun Hao did not put up much resistance against Frenchman Alex Lanier (inset) in the first round of the Japan Open. PETALING JAYA: Reality has bitten men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao hard after his sobering defeat to Frenchman Alex Lanier in the Japan Open first round. World No. 24 Jun Hao was hoping to pull off an upset over world No. 8 Lanier but found the latter too hot to handle and lost tamely 12-21, 14-21 in 40 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday. The 26-year-old's defeat marked the end of Malaysia's challenge in the men's singles in the tourney as he was the country's sole representative in the event. Singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen could not hide his frustration after seeing his charge capitulate against the defending champion without putting up much resistance. 'Jun Hao lacks the consistency to challenge this kind of playing style and level,' said Jonassen. 'I'm also quite worried about how far away we are today from being able to push and make Lanier uncomfortable. 'Jun Hao tried his best but never got comfortable due to the pace, zero mistakes and point-by-point hard fighting attitude of his opponent which led to him feeling pressured in most rallies.' Jonassen admitted that Jun Hao's form was worrying with the World Championships coming up in Aug 25-31 in Paris and said that the player really needed to step up his game. 'I hate losing but worse is being unable to challenge a good opponent. 'Before this tournament, I was looking for answers in terms of preparation for the worlds, and what level are we at? 'Today I got some answers, we have a long way to go! Going forward, it's time to step up.' Jun Hao has been struggling for form this year with his best performance coming in the Singapore Open last month where he made it to the quarter-finals. The 2017 Asian Junior champion has suffered early round defeats in all his other individual events so far this year. On where Jun Hao needed to urgently improve on before the world meet, Jonassen said: 'There are two areas. First is pace of play which is the key. Being able to play faster and deal with opponents' fast-paced games. 'Second is he needs to realise the importance of each point. Understanding and accepting how much each point means against players at the highest level. 'If you don't make them uncomfortable and doubt themselves, they will do this to you.' Before the Paris showpiece event, Jun Hao has one last chance to prove that he can raise his game when he competes next in the China Open which starts next Tuesday in Changzhou.
The Star
29 minutes ago
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Kok Siang sets more realistic targets for Goh-Izzuddin, Goh-Shevon
PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and mixed doubles duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie have been set a realistic target at the Japan Open - to at least reach the quarter-finals. Professional doubles coach Teo Kok Siang believes the goal is appropriate for now, especially with Sze Fei-Izzuddin returning as the defending champions. All eyes will be on the top seeds, who not only bear the weight of expectations but also need to avoid an early exit to protect their position at the top of the world rankings. 'This is a Super 750-level tournament, there's no such thing as an easy or difficult draw. What I can say is we'll keep fighting, and their preparations have gone well. Based on the draw, I believe we have a good chance,' said Kok Siang when contacted. 'What's important is that they have the hunger. They won this event last year, and I hope they can retain the title. 'Of course, everyone wants to be champion, but more importantly, I want them to enjoy their matches. For now, getting past the quarter-finals is the focus, we'll take it step by step.'' The same expectations have been placed on Soon Huat-Shevon. Kok Siang confirmed that Soon Huat is now fully fit and ready for the Japan Open before heading to Changzhou for the China Open next week. Soon Huat had been struggling with a series of injuries to his hips and legs which had affected his performances in recent tournaments. 'I hope Soon Huat and Shevon can be more consistent with their gameplay. Soon Huat is fully recovered and has no major issues. I just hope his past injuries don't return,' added Kok Siang. Sze Fei-Izzuddin got off to a strong start, brushing aside Canada's Kevin Lee-Ty Alexander Lindeman 21-13, 21-15 in just 23 minutes in their opening-round match yesterday. They will meet the winners of the tie between Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita and Taiwan's Chiu Hsiang-chieh-Wang Chi-lin in the second round tomorrow. Also progressing were Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, who fought back from a game down to edge French siblings Christo and Toma Junior Popov 13-21, 21-17, 21-19. However, it was a short-lived debut for young women's pair Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting, who fell 21-17, 8-21, 8-21 to Japan's Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi in the first round. Soon Huat-Shevon are set to open their campaign today against Thailand's Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat.
