PETALING JAYA: National men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao ended his first-round woes by defeating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka at the Indonesia Open today.
The world No 27 Malaysian overcame the world No 11 Japanese 21-17, 21-17 in 38 minutes at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta.
The victory came as a welcome relief for the national coaching set-up after Jun Hao suffered four first-round exits this year.
It was also Jun Hao’s third win over Naraoka in five career meetings.
However, a much sterner challenge awaits in the second round of the World Tour Super 1000 tournament on Thursday.
Jun Hao will face either Denmark’s Anders Antonsen or France’s Alex Lanier for a place in the quarter-finals.