Odense: It’s the end of the road for Malaysia in men’s singles at the Denmark Open after their sole representative, Leong Jun Hao, crashed out in the opening round in Odense. The world number 20, Jun Hao, was defeated 13-21, 16-21 by China’s fourth-seeded Li Shi Feng in a 45-minute match at the Super 750 tournament held at the Jyske Bank Arena.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this marks Jun Hao’s eighth defeat to world number four Shi Feng in their nine encounters. Meanwhile, Malaysia faced further setbacks as the national men’s doubles pair Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King were also knocked out, losing 15-21, 19-21 to Japan’s 2021 world champions, Takuro Hoki and Hugo Kobayashi.

In the women’s doubles category, Go Pei Kee and Teoh Mei Xing encountered a similar fate, falling 5-21, 16-21 to South Korean duo Jeong Na Eun and Lee Yeon Woo. However, there was a glimmer of hope as another national women’s doubles team, Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting, progressed to the second round. They secured their victor
y by defeating Ukraine’s Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr 21-11, 21-16 in just 30 minutes.

Xin Yee and Carmen Ting will next face third seeds Kim Hye Jeong and Kong Hee Yong, following the South Koreans’ decisive win over Hong Kong’s Lui Lok Lok and Tsang Hiu Yan, 21-11, 21-11. Unfortunately, Malaysia’s professional mixed doubles pair Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sen also bowed out early after a 7-21, 14-21 defeat to India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto.