Leong Jun Hao stuns higher-ranked opponent to reach Japan Open second round
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao produced one of the biggest upsets of the opening day at the Japan Open 2026 after defeating higher-ranked Taiwan’s Chi Yu Jen to book his place in the second round, while the country’s mixed doubles campaign suffered an early setback.
Competing at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, world No. 30 Leong delivered a composed performance to overcome world No. 19 Chi in straight games, winning 21-19, 21-16 in a 50-minute encounter.
The victory marks a strong start to the Malaysian’s campaign and sets up a challenging second-round clash against France’s fifth-seeded Christo Popov.
Popov advanced after overcoming China’s Weng Hong Yang 21-14, 23-21 in his opening-round match.
Malaysia’s challenge in the women’s singles, however, ended on the opening day after Wong Ling Ching was eliminated by former world champion Pusarla V. Sindhu of India.
Sindhu dominated the encounter, securing a comfortable 21-14, 21-11 victory to progress to the next round.
The mixed doubles competition also proved disappointing for Malaysia as newly formed partnership Chen Tang Jie and Clarissa San failed to make an impact in their first tournament together.
The pair, playing together for the first time, were defeated 21-15, 21-19 by Taiwan’s Yang Po-Hsuan and Hu Ling Fang in the opening round.
The tournament marked Tang Jie’s temporary partnership with Clarissa following the injury to his regular partner, Toh Ee Wei, who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the Singapore Open in May.
Another Malaysian mixed doubles pairing, professionals Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien, also exited in the first round after losing 21-13, 21-18 to China’s fifth-seeded combination of Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui.
In the men’s doubles competition, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King were unable to extend their unbeaten run against American pair Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith.
The Malaysians went down 26-24, 15-21, 18-21 in a closely contested 62-minute match, allowing the American duo to register their first victory over the pair.
Despite the defeat, Wan Arif and Roy King continue to lead the overall head-to-head record 3-1.
Leong’s victory was the highlight of Malaysia’s opening-day performances, keeping the country’s hopes alive in the men’s singles draw as the tournament progresses into the second round.
