KUALA LUMPUR: Leong Jun Hao's campaign may have come to an end at the Malaysia Masters, but the world No. 37 is taking plenty of positives from his performance in the Super 500 tournament.
Jun Hao's run was halted by China's world No. 6, Li Shi Feng, in the last 16 after losing 21-15, 21-16 in 58 minutes.
It was a rematch of the second singles battle in the Thomas Cup semi-finals where Malaysia lost 3-0. Then, Jun Hao was outplayed 21-17, 21-10.
However, the 24-year-old is ready to head to next week's Singapore Open with renewed optimism as he seeks to continue building on his commendable performance of late.
Jun Hao believes the opportunity to take on top-ranked opponents on a regular basis has gradually helped his game improve.
Jun Hao also showed plenty of promise last week at the Thailand Open, stretching reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn to a 92-minute battle before losing 20-22, 21-14, 23-21.
As he also had to step in for injured Tze Yong in the second singles role, Jun Hao did well with wins over rivals such as Angus Ng of Hong Kong and Japan's Koki Watanabe.
"Recently, I have had more opportunities to compete against higher-ranked opponents. I still feel there is a gap, but I try to learn from each encounter and gradually strengthen my skills. I hope to get closer and closer. I have been trying new things recently, and this is also part of the process," said Jun Hao.
Meanwhile, Goh Jin Wei failed to progress in the women's singles when after she was beaten by Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-10, 21-14.
It was her fourth defeat in as many matches against the world No. 20.
The latest last 16 exit means Jin Wei has not made it to the quarter-finals in any of the seven tournaments this year, and this does not augur well ahead of her preparations for the Paris Olympics.
In fact, she only managed to reach the quarter-finals once in 20 tournaments.
Jin Wei will have only the Singapore Open and Indonesia Open to bounce back before her Olympic debut.
"Overall, there are still many areas that need improvement, so I can't specify any particular areas that need strengthening," said Jin Wei.
"It's definitely discouraging (to lose to Busanan again), and I hope to have another chance to beat her next time.
"I found it difficult to concentrate today and made many mistakes. I don't know why, but I will find out the reasons and ways to solve this."