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The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Haikal-Hon Jian's belief remains firm despite shaky start in comeback
PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles shuttlers Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian believe they still have the quality to close the gap on their higher-ranked national teammates despite a rough start to their comeback. The pair have had little to shout about in five tournaments so far this season, crashing out in the opening round in all but one, the Malaysian Masters in late May, where they bowed out in the second round. Haikal admitted that their current form has been worrying, with both still trying to regain their rhythm after lengthy layoffs due to injuries. Haikal was sidelined for several months after tearing his hip muscle earlier this year. Ironically, Hon Jian had suffered the same injury just months earlier, forcing the duo to pull out of several tournaments, including the Arctic and Denmark Opens. 'There's no issue between us when it comes to communication, but with both of us struggling with injuries at different times, it's been difficult. It has definitely affected our performance,' said Haikal. 'Hon Jian and I are determined to recapture the form we showed in India two years ago and when we won the Orleans Masters last year. 'Honestly, after five months out and only one month of training, we were sent straight into five back-to-back tournaments. It's been a real struggle, and we've felt the pressure.' The former world No. 18 duo have now slipped to No. 47 in the latest world rankings. Still, Haikal-Hon Jian are refusing to throw in the towel. They believe they can return to their best as long as they stay committed and injury free. They are currently preparing for the Japan Open from July 15-20, followed by the China Open the following week. 'We know the touch is still there, we just haven't been able to find it again. I'll admit we've been lacking consistency. 'After each match, especially in these last five events, I've just been thankful to walk away uninjured. 'Losing is tough, but nothing compares to the pain of another injury and the long months of rehab that come with it,' he added.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Hoo knows how to regain form – just add more spice in game
PETALING JAYA: National mixed doubles shuttler Hoo Pang Ron wants to keep his opponents on their toes by adding variety in his game. The 27-year-old admitted that he and doubles partner Cheng Su Yin aren't satisfied with their recent performances, and believes their gameplay tactics have been recognised by their opponents. Pang Ron says their game have become predictable. 'I'm really not satisfied with my performance. It has dropped since last year's China Masters final. Maybe a lot of players are starting to understand our game,' said Pang Ron when met at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) yesterday. 'So we have been trying to improve on this with our coach. We need more variations of gameplay.' The world No. 13 pair did well to reach the China Masters final last November before falling to home ground players Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping. Since then, the pair have suffered early round exits and this year, they only made it to the Indonesian Masters and Orleans Masters quarter-finals, and German Open second round. Their last three outings at the All-England, Asian Championships, and Thailand Open all ended after their first match. There is some good news though. Pang Ron said his hamstring injury sustained during the Thailand Open has been recovering well, and there was no rush to get back on court just yet. 'I'm recovering and coming back slowly because there's no rush. There's no point aggravating it further,' said Pang Ron. 'I felt pain during the Thailand Open, and the doctors have advised me to rest. And its good as it gives me and Su Yin the chance to refresh ourselves. 'We haven't been winning for some time, and mentally we are down as well. So hopefully we can bounce back next month,' he said. Added with Su Yin's ankle injury that forced them to withdraw from the Malaysian Masters last month, Pang Ron said it remains to be seen if they will be competing at the Japan Open from July 15-20.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Time to restore order in singles with Zii Jia's return
PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Lee Zii Jia's ( pic ) return from injury in the Japan Open from July 15-20 in Tokyo is a boost for the struggling Malaysian men's singles department. National No. 1 Zii Jia suffered a right ankle ligament injury in the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou last December and could only compete in the Orleans Masters and All-England in March so far this year. The 27-year-old's absence has been keenly felt with the likes of national No. 2 Leong Jun Hao and No. 3 Justin Hoh struggling to make an impression in the World Tour. World No. 25 Jun Hao and world No. 43 Justin's best results were reaching the quarter-finals in the Super 750 Singapore Open last week and Super 300 Taiwan Open last month respectively. In the Indonesian Open which ended on Sunday, Jun Hao, who was Malaysia's sole representative in the men's singles, went down to China's world No. 4 Li Shifeng in the second round in Jakarta. Zii Jia's return has raised hopes of lifting the gloom in the men's singles in the country. The Paris Olympics bronze medallist has registered for the Japan Open and will likely also compete in the China Open from July 22-27 in Changzhou, China. Zii Jia initially planned to make his comeback in the US Open (June 24-29) but decided to take a cautious approach and delay his return to avoid aggravating his injury. His caution is understandable with the World Championships coming up from Aug 25-31 in Paris. In the Japan tourney, Zii Jia will be joined by Jun Hao. The draw for the tournament will be released on July 8.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Good news as Zii Jia makes return at Japan Open
Lee Zii Jia — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Men singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia is set to make his long-awaited return to competitions in the Japan Open from July 15-20 in Tokyo. Zii Jia, who suffered a right ankle ligament injury during the World Tour Finals last December, last played in the back-to-back Orleans Masters and All-England in March. The 27-year-old, who initially targeted to make his comeback in the US Open from June 24-29 decided to take a cautious approach and delay his return to avoid aggravating his injury. Zii Jia's name is among the players registered for the Japan Open and he is also likely to play in the China Open from July 22-27 in Changzhou. Malaysia will also be represented in the men's singles by Leong Jun Hao in Japan.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Cheers to Wei Chong-Kai Wun for fighting on despite hostile atmosphere
National men's doubles shuttlers Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in action against compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the final match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Sunday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are feeling positive about their performance in the Indonesian Open despite seeing their run in the men's doubles end in the semi-finals. Wei Chong-Kai Wun were hoping to repeat or better their feat last year where they finished runners-up to China's Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang but narrowly went down 18-21, 21-12, 18-21 to homesters Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Saturday. The world No. 7 pair had come out on top over world No. 8 Sabar-Moh at the same stage last year but the latter, spurred on by their passionate fans, exacted revenge this time. Despite the defeat, Wei Chong-Kai Wun believe they have plenty to be happy about, especially their fighting spirit in a hostile atmosphere. In the deciding game, the pair were 14-20 behind but refused to give up easily and nearly pulled off a remarkable comeback by grabbing four points. "It's not easy to play in Istora. Our opponents did very well too," said Wei Chong in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). "During the crucial points at the end, we just gave our best as we had nothing to lose. We just wanted to enjoy our game. "For us, it's important to trust each other and keep supporting each other no matter what." Kai Wun said: "Our momentum is quite stable until now and I'm very happy for this. We hope we can keep maintaining our mentality and mindset like this. "In the men's doubles, anyone can win, so every rally counts. As long as the match is not over, we have to keep trying." Wei Chong-Kai Wun have found some consistency lately after struggling to maintain their form earlier in the year. The pair captured the Indonesian Masters title atthe same venue in January but suffered early round exits in the Orleans Masters, All-England, Asian Championships and Thailand Open. Wei Chong-Kai Wun then bounced back spectacularly to win the Malaysian Masters crown and made it into the last eight in the Singapore Open before the semi-final finish in Indonesia. The duo notably pulled off an impressive win over India's former world No. 1 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty for the first time in five meetings en route to reaching the last four. Men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi is satisfied with his charges' overall showing in the tourney. "Man-Tee's performance in this tournament is quite good. For me, reaching the semi-finals in the Indonesian Open is a good achievement," said Herry. "They managed to beat the Indian pair in straight games after losing to them four times previously. "Although they lost today (Saturday) and could not make it into the final, they have gained a lot of experience playing in this tournament this time." Wei Chong-Kai Wun will next have a well-deserved break from competitions before turning their focus to the back-to-back Japan Open (July 15-20) and China Open (July 22-27).
