BAM boss inspires Justin and Co before US Open challenge
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles ace Justin Hoh and his compatriots received a timely morale boost from BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz ahead of the US Open, which starts on Tuesday in Iowa.
Tengku Zafrul, who is also the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, is currently on a working visit in Washington DC and took the opportunity to encourage the Malaysian contingent taking part in the Super 300 event.
World No. 42 Justin will be joined at the US and Canada Opens (July 1-7) by men's singles Eogene Ewe (world No. 101) and women's singles K. Letshanaa (No. 50) and Wong Ling Ching (No. 99) — all making their debut appearances at both tournaments.
Tengku Zafrul revealed via social media that fans had asked him to lend support to the BAM players competing in the United States.
"I've received requests from fans to observe and support the BAM players who are competing at the US Open in Iowa," he posted on Instagram.
"If it were nearby, I'd definitely be there to cheer them on, but the distance from Washington to Iowa is nearly 1,900km.
"To Justin, Eogene, Letshanaa and Ling Ching — do your best and make us proud."
Justin will be aiming to surpass his best result of the year — a quarter-final showing at the Taiwan Open — but faces stiff competition in Iowa.
The tournament is headlined by world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan, the recent runner-up at the Super 1000 Indonesia Open.
Justin is expected to clear the opening hurdle against world No. 61 Julien Carraggi of Belgium, but could face a tricky second-round tie against India's world No. 58 S. Sankar Muthusamy, followed by a potential quarter-final clash with world No. 12 Kenta Nishimoto of Japan.
Eogene opens his campaign in the qualifying round against India's Darshan Pujari on Tuesday.
In the women's singles, Letshanaa faces a tough first-round draw against 2017 world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan, while Ling Ching takes on American No. 110 Isabelle Rusli in the qualifying round.
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