KUALA LUMPUR: The wait for another Malaysian men's singles champion at the Malaysia Open goes on.
Lee Chong Wei's remarkable legacy — winning the prestigious title 12 times between 2004 and 2018 — feels increasingly distant as current Malaysian players struggle to make their mark.
The local showpiece once pulsed with Malaysian pride, with champions like Rashid Sidek (1990, 1991, 1992), Ong Ewe Hock (1996, 2001) and James Chua (2002) thrilling home crowds.
Yet since Chong Wei's retirement, Malaysian challenge has become increasingly scarce, with players rarely advancing beyond the second round.
This year's campaign ended prematurely when world No. 29 Leong Jun Hao, Malaysia's sole representative in the men's singles, exited in the opening round.
The 25-year-old debutant fought valiantly before falling to China's world No. 16 Lu Guang Zu, 21-17, 16-21, 21-13.
Jun Hao's task was made more daunting by the absence of Malaysia's top-ranked player, world No. 6 Lee Zii Jia, who withdrew due to injury.
However, even Zii Jia's presence might not have guaranteed success — he exited the early rounds in three of his four previous appearances — including a defeat to the very same Guang Zu last year.
"I'm really disappointed, but it was indeed a tough game. I tried to give everything I could," Jun Hao said.
"Though I lost today, I've identified clear areas for improvement.
"I'll address these aspects when I return to training tomorrow.
"This experience, while disappointing, will make me stronger.
"I'm confident that coach Kenneth's European perspective will help elevate my game to the next level."
New national men's singles head Kenneth Jonassen said he was encouraged by what he saw from Jun Hao in his match against Guang Zu.
Jonassen said it was a very hard fought battle between two strong and physical players.
The Dane said the more experienced player made the better choices in the match.
"It was still a strong performance by Jun Hao but in those crucial points, you need them to go your way and yeah they didn't happen," said Jonassen.
"I think he dealt with his emotions quite well playing in his first Malaysia Open. After trailing in the first game 15-11, he managed to mount a mini comeback.
"He closed out the second set in a great manner but in the third game he didn't get off to the right start and that was crucial.
"But the foundation and maturity in his game is there which I'm really pleased with."
Jonassen said some of the choices that Jun Hao made in the game were not the wrong ones, but his execution was not the best.
"If you choose a shot, you have to execute it, and that comes with experience. You get better at either making the right decision or executing the shot," the Dane added.
"I didn't have an issue with his decision making but the execution was just not quite there at crucial points."