WORLD No. 25 Leong Jun Hao made a commanding World Championships debut in Paris, giving Malaysia a timely boost after Lee Zii Jia’s shock early exit.
The national men’s singles shuttler showed calm authority at the Adidas Arena, dismissing Switzerland’s Tobias Kuenzi 21-12, 21-14 in just 36 minutes.
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The straight-game victory not only secured his passage into the second round but also served as a confidence booster ahead of sterner tests.
Jun Hao will next face either Taiwan’s Wang Tzu Wei (world No. 28) or Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto (world No. 14), both formidable opponents who promise to test his resolve.
With Zii Jia bowing out in the opening round on Monday, Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge now rests heavily on Jun Hao’s shoulders.
The victory was extra special for Jun Hao, as it came in his first-ever World Championships appearance at the age of 26.
Meanwhile, another national women’s singles player, K. Letshanaa, dominated the game when she recorded an easy 21-18, 21-8 victory over Hong Kong’s, Saloni Samirbhai Mehta to advance to the second round.
The real test awaits the world number 40 when she faces former world champion, PV Sindhu of India next.