In the first match, world No 38 Justin battled for 68 minutes before going down 10-21, 21-15, 14-21 to the 17th ranked Alwi Farhan. Despite making a strong comeback in the second game, Justin found Alwi too hot to handle in the decider.

Jun Hao, who is ranked 20 rungs above his rival Zaki Ubaidillah, failed to live up to his ranking, losing easily 18-21, 13-21 in a match that lasted 42 minutes.

Malaysia has two gold medal hopes so far with women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M Thinaah and men’s doubles duo Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik booking their final berths earlier in the day.

In the women’s singles, 21-year-old Wong Ling Ching gave Thailand’s former world champion Ratchanok Intanon a run for her money before succumbing to the experienced 30-year-old after battling for 68 minutes.

The 46th ranked Ling Ching lost 11-21, 21-18, 17-21 to world No 8 Intanon to settle for a bronze medal.

So far, Malaysia has won one silver and six bronze medals in badminton in Bangkok and will not be able to meet the target of four gold medals.