Singapore Open: Jun Hao stuns Ginting, could meet Axelsen in quarter-finals

Leong Jun Hao has surely dished out one of the early upsets at the ongoing Singapore Open after the national shuttler stunned Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting 21-14, 10-21, 21-8 for a possible meeting against Viktor Axelsen.

Leong has shown consistent signs of improvement since the Thomas Cup earlier this month, but this hour-long victory over the world number seven will surely rank among the highlights of his career.

The 24-year-old was patient, precise and chose the right moments to subdue the Indonesian to book a place in the last eight, where he will most likely come up against world number one Axelsen.

Joining Leong in the quarter-finals are national mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, who also did well to oust Danish couple Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje 21-17, 21-18.

Chen-Toh will go on to face fourth seeds Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu-jung for a place in the semi-finals.

It was a good day for the national doubles contingent, who also saw men’s doubles Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin upset world number eight pair Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi 21-13, 21-16.

Goh-Izzuddin’s reward is a meeting either against a Danish or Chinese pair.

Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, who won the Malaysia Masters mixed doubles title last week, were forced to retire against top seeds Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong after Goh suffered an injury in the deciding game.

Lee Zii Jia had also conceded a walkover against Ginting on Wednesday after featuring in back-to-back finals at the Thailand Open and Malaysia Masters.