Kumamoto Masters: Jun Hao  produces epic comeback to reach final

Leong Jun Hao produced one of the comebacks of the year after he overcame a seven point deficit in the deciding game to beat Jonatan Christie 10-21, 21-18, 22-20 and reach the Kumamoto Masters men’s singles final.

Reaching this Super 500 final also marks one of Leong’s biggest career achievement to date, and he can go one better by winning in tomorrow’s final against either Viktor Axelsen or Li Shi Feng.

The way the 25-year-old has fared this week, he wouldn’t fear playing either men and will have immense self-belief he can secure his biggest silverware tomorrow.

Against Christie, Leong was on the brink of defeat.

Trailing 10-17, not many would have fancied him to claw back the deficit, but the world number 31 fought for every shuttle, throwing himself all over the court to stay alive in the contest.

He levelled the score to 20-20, and won a remarkable rally where he had to dig deep before winning the crucial point.

A ferocious overhead smash saw him seal the priceless victory, as both men slumped to the court in sheer exhaustion after the grueling 77-minute battle.

Having beaten Lakshya Sen, Koki Watanabe, Kodai Naraoka and now Christie, Leong will prepare for the biggest match of his career to complete the fairytale run.

Leong is the only Malaysian representative in the final after doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub lost their matches.