Jun Hao ends first-round jinx with Naraoka upset at Indonesia Open

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 27 Leong Jun Hao finally found a reason to smile after ending a difficult run of results with a morale-boosting victory over Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in the opening round of the Indonesia Open on Tuesday.

The Malaysian produced a fine display to upset world No 11 Naraoka 21-17, 21-17 and advance to the last 16 at Istora Senayan.

The win halted a worrying slide that had seen Jun Hao suffer consecutive first-round exits at the Asian Championships, Malaysia Masters and Singapore Open, while also easing some of the pressure that has surrounded him in recent weeks.

The result also improved Jun Hao’s head-to-head record against Naraoka to 5-2 as he avenged his defeat to the Japanese in their previous meeting at the Thomas Cup Finals last month.

Jun Hao’s reward is another stern test in the second round, where he will face either Denmark’s Anders Antonsen or France’s Alex Lanier.

Both potential opponents arrive in Jakarta in red-hot form, with Antonsen having captured the Thailand Open title last month while Lanier heads into the Indonesia Open fresh from his Singapore Open triumph last week.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times