Thе upcoming Hong Kong Open 2025 рrоmіѕеѕ еxсіtеmеnt fоr bаdmіntоn fаnѕ, but behind the scenes, Malaysia’s national соасhіng dіrесtоr Kenneth Jоnаѕѕеn has voiced fruѕtrаtіоn over thе drаw. Thе tоurnаmеnt hаѕ рrоduсеd an аll-Mаlауѕіаn сlаѕh bеtwееn Lее Zіі Jіа аnd Lеоng Jun Hао іn the men’s ѕіnglеѕ opening rоund—ѕоmеthіng Jonassen believes іѕ fаr from іdеаl.
A Clash Too Early
World No. 23 Leong Jun Hao has been handed a tough opening challenge against Lee Zii Jia, currently ranked No. 47, in what will be their first meeting since the 2024 Australian Open. While the matchup guarantees drama for spectators, Jonassen sees no silver lining.
“I don’t see any positives in two countrymen facing each other in the first round. It’s not a good start for either of them,” Jonassen remarked.
Zii Jia, an independent player no longer under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), is still rebuilding his rhythm after a right ankle injury earlier this year. His comeback campaign at the World Championships in Paris ended prematurely with a first-round exit. Despite his recent struggles, Zii Jia still boasts a 3-0 head-to-head record over Jun Hao.
Jun Hao’s Road to Redemption
Leong Jun Hao, however, enters the Hong Kong Open with determination to bounce back. His last outing in Paris saw him eliminated in the second round by Japan’s world No. 11 Kenta Nishimoto, and he will be eager to prove himself on Asian soil.
For Jonassen, while the all-Malaysian tie is unfortunate, it also provides both players with a chance to showcase their progress. The question remains—who will seize the opportunity?
Rising Talents in the Spotlight
Beyond the high-profile Zii Jia–Jun Hao clash, Jonassen is also monitoring the progress of Malaysia’s rising stars: Justin Hoh and K. Letshanaa.
-
Justin Hoh (World No. 39): The young men’s singles talent begins in the qualifiers, where he is expected to comfortably overcome compatriot Teh Jin Hong (World No. 372). However, a tougher test awaits in the second round, where he is likely to face India’s experienced shuttler and former World No. 1 K. Srikanth.
-
K. Letshanaa (World No. 38): The 22-year-old women’s singles player will start her Hong Kong campaign against a qualifier. If successful, she faces a daunting second-round matchup against China’s Han Yue, the world No. 3 and second seed of the tournament.
Jonassen remains cautiously optimistic about both players:
“Justin has another potential good test, which will be an interesting challenge. For Letshanaa, this is a great opportunity to build on her development, and we’ll see how far she has progressed in Hong Kong.”
Lessons from Paris
Letshanaa’s performance at the World Championships gave a glimpse of her growing potential. Against India’s legendary former world champion P.V. Sindhu, she stormed to an 18-2 lead in the opening game before eventually falling 21-19, 21-15. Despite the defeat, her ability to unsettle top-20 opponents showed she is on the right path.
A possible second-round clash with Han Yue could serve as the perfect benchmark to gauge her current level against one of the world’s very best.
A Mixed Bag for Malaysia
The Hong Kong Open 2025 is shaping up to be a critical test for Malaysia’s shuttlers. For Jonassen, the early clash between Lee Zii Jia and Leong Jun Hao is a frustrating scenario that robs the national squad of the chance to see both players advance deeper into the tournament. However, for fans, the duel offers a mouthwatering showdown between two of the country’s most exciting singles players.
With Justin Hoh and Letshanaa also facing important challenges, Malaysia’s campaign in Hong Kong could provide valuable insights into the nation’s badminton future—whether through the redemption of its senior stars or the rise of its young talents.
ALSO READ :
