Malaysia Suffers Blow in Li-Ning China Masters 2024 Badminton Tournament

Men’s Singles Shuttler Leong Jun Hao Crashes Out in First Round

Malaysia suffered another blow in the Li-Ning China Masters 2024 badminton tournament after men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao was knocked out in the first round by Japan’s Takuma Obayashi.

World No 29 Jun Hao was a pale shadow of the player who defeated top-ranked players to emerge runner-up at the Kumamoto Masters in Japan last week. Today, he was totally outclassed by Obayashi 21-12, 21-11 in 38 minutes. This was the Malaysian’s second defeat in the hands of Obayashi, the world No 36, in their three meetings so far.

Fellow Men’s Singles Shuttler Lee Zii Jia Also Crashes Out

Earlier, fellow men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia also crashed out in the first round after going down to India’s Lakshya Sen 14-21, 21-13, 13-21 in a match that lasted 57 minutes.

China Masters: Final Chance for Shuttlers to Qualify for World Tour Finals

The China Masters is the final chance for shuttlers to amass points to qualify for the World Tour Finals (WTF) in Hangzhou, China next month. While Jun Hao was not in contention, Zii Jia who is currently ranked sixth in the WTF qualifiers list, will go through if his closest rivals fail to enter the later stages of the China Masters.

Women’s Doubles and Mixed-Doubles Pairs Make Progress

Separately, women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M Thinaah, who have already booked a place in the WTF, cruised into the second round of the China Masters by defeating the unranked Chinese pair Ding Ke Yun-Wang Yi Duo 21-16, 21-14.

Two of Malaysia’s mixed-doubles pairs also made it to the next round. Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin defeated Taiwan’s Liu Kuang Heng-Jheng Yu Chieh 21-17, 21-12 while Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien beat Algerian pair Koceila Mammeri-Tanina Violette Mammeri 21-15, 21-13. However, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were eliminated in the mixed doubles event. Soon-Huat-Shevon have already qualified for the WTF.

Conclusion

The Li-Ning China Masters 2024 badminton tournament has been a challenging one for Malaysia’s shuttlers, with Leong Jun Hao and Lee Zii Jia both crashing out in the first round. However, Pearly Tan-M Thinaah and two of Malaysia’s mixed-doubles pairs have made progress in the tournament. The China Masters is the final chance for shuttlers to amass points to qualify for the World Tour Finals, and Malaysia will be hoping to make a stronger showing in the remaining matches.

FAQs

Q: Who is the world No 29 men’s singles shuttler who crashed out in the first round of the Li-Ning China Masters 2024?
A: Leong Jun Hao.

Q: Who is the world No 36 men’s singles shuttler who defeated Leong Jun Hao in the first round?
A: Takuma Obayashi.

Q: Who is the Indian men’s singles shuttler who defeated Lee Zii Jia in the first round?
A: Lakshya Sen.

Q: What is the final chance for shuttlers to amass points to qualify for the World Tour Finals?
A: The China Masters.