The national singles shuttlers have been handed tough assignments at the upcoming Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in China next month, and Stadium Astro highlights three challenging matches.
Leong Jun Hao vs Jonatan Christie
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If Leong needs a competitive warm-up match before assuming the responsibility as the main singles shuttler at the Thomas Cup, then former champion Christie will surely provide it.
Both men have faced each other six times, with each player securing three wins each.
Interestingly, both Leong and Christie have taken turns each time to win.
By that logic, Leong should edge this BAC tie, seeing that Christie last won their duel at the Malaysia Open in January.
Justin Hoh vs Alwi Farhan
Both shuttlers are not separated much in terms of age, but Indonesia’s Farhan is pulling away fast by virtue of experience and playing at the highest level.
Ranked 14 and already peeping into the world top 10, Farhan also has a numerical win advantage over the Malaysian having beaten him in their last three matches.
But Hoh, now ranked 40, showed glimpses of his talent last week when he fought hard to beat the higher ranked Chi Yu-jen at the Swiss Open first round.
The 20-year-old will need more of that battling display against a confident playing Farhan.
Wong Ling Ching vs P.V.Sindhu
This is an intriguing match-up, as Wong faces an opponent who is no longer the force she used to be.
But Sindhu should not be discounted by any means. The lanky Indian is still a top 20 shuttler and can easily use her experience and vast reach to brush aside the challenge of a much more diminutive Wong.
The Malaysian, however, has proven she is more than capable of an upset if she plays well.
American Beiwen Zhang found out last week, as a plucky Wong surprised her with a gritty display.
The world number 38 just needs to be more consistent and have self-belief she can hand the former world champion an early exit.
