KUALA LUMPUR: Leong Jun Hao ended his streak of first-round exits with a sensational victory over Asian Games champion Li Shi Feng to reach the second round of the India Open today.
Jun Hao produced a spirited comeback to beat world No. 6 Shi Feng 18-21, 21-17, 21-17 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.
It was the world No. 28's first win after three straight first-round defeats in tournaments on the World Tour.
The Malaysian shuttler also snapped a four-match losing streak against Shi Feng, having last faced the Chinese ace in the final of the Kumamoto Masters Super 500 in November, where he fell in straight games.
"I played against him four times and I never won before, I'm happy to win today," a jubilant Jun Hao told the Badminton World Federation.
"In the first game, I was not patient enough, in the second and third I tried to be more patient and execute what I planned to do and it worked very well today.
"The win means a lot to me, as before this I have never beaten him, even never won a game against him... I totally feel great about myself today.
"He's a tough opponent physically and in strokes, even attacking, he an-all-round player."