Justin Hoh earned one of his biggest career victory after he toppled Frenchman Toma Junior Popov in straight games to set-up an all-Malaysian clash in the Hong Kong Open.

Hoh brushed aside the tournament’s eighth seed 21-12, 21-17 to move into the Super 500 event second round, where he will face national team-mate Leong on Thursday.

It was a fully deserved victory by the 21-year-old Hoh, who controlled the match to outclass his world number 13 opponent in comfortable fashion.

The Malaysian was patient in the rallies and used his smashes to great effect.

The world number 39 was also defensively sound, and scored significant points through his netplay which left Popov frustrated at times.

His 43-minute victory earns him a duel against Leong, who was also comfortable in his 21-16, 21-16 victory over Lee Zii Jia.

Lee, who had been on the sidelines for most parts of this year, was clearly far from his best leaving his former national team-mate to secure the easy win.

The Paris Olympics bronze medalists will need to work on his basics like serving and staying longer in rallies as his fundamentals let him down in the 40-minute match.

The Hoh-Leong showdown also means that Malaysia are guaranteed a spot in the men’s singles quarter-finals.

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