PHNOM PENH, May 13 — National men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao has booked a berth in the last eight of the 2023 SEA Games after eliminating Singapore’s Joel Koh Jia Wei, in the round of 16, earlier today.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for third-seeded Leong as he survived a scare in the first set against the Singaporean with a slim 23 – 21 victory. He had no such problems, though, in the second set and went on to seal the tie, 21 – 14 in 38 minutes.
Leong’s eagerness to wrap up the first set after enjoying a six-point lead at 20 – 14 almost proved costly as Koh managed to stage a comeback to level the tie at 20 – 20, but Leong’s ability to keep his cool in that crucial stage pulled him through.
“I hope this is the start of something good,” he told reporters when met after the match held at the Morodok Techo Badminton Hall.
The world number 64 player also said he will not underestimate the ability of his next opponent Joel Angelo Albo, after the Filipino knocked out Myanmar’s Zaw Lin Htoo, 21 – 13, 21 – 15.
In another match, national mixed doubles scratch pair Yap Roy King – Cheng Su Yin did not have any problems seeing off Singapore’s Donovan Willard Wee – Xiao En Heng, 21 – 14, 21 – 17.
This is despite having partnered only five days before coming to Cambodia.
Yap – Cheng will face home duo Vannthoun Vath – Kimloung Lim after the Cambodians overcame Zidane Ovaldo – Zoraida Dela Torre, 21-6, 21-8, in the last eight.
Yap said he was glad to make it to the last eight, as he felt the Singaporeans did not have their best game today, but nevertheless, was now hoping to make it to the semi-final.
Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for national women’s singles Ong Xin Yee, as she fell to Indonesia’s Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo in straight sets 15 – 21, 18 – 21, in the other round of 16 match.
— Bernama
