Badminton

Jun Hao stuns Watanabe to make it 2-1 for Malaysia in Thomas Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 37 Leong Jun Hao rose to the occasion to restore Malaysia's lead in the Thomas Cup quarter-final battle against Japan after beating Koki Watanabe 21-13, 21-10 in the second singles.

Revenge was certainly sweet for Jun Hao after having lost to Watanabe during the semi-finals of the Asia Team Championships, which Malaysia won 3-1.

Earlier, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were unable to come good against Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi, losing 18-21, 21-14, 21-19.

It was Aaron-Wooi Yik's seventh successive defeat.

Malaysia will now count on Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to deliver the third point when they face Akira Koga-Taichi Saito and seal a place in the semi-finals for the team.

Lee Zii Jia had given Malaysia a head start with a dominant 21-13, 21-3 win over Kenta Nishimoto in the opening singles.

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