Leong Jun Hao Shocks Ginting to End 2-Year Reign at Singapore Open
Leon To
Tue Jun 04 2024
In a stunning upset at the men's singles round of 16 at the 2024 Singapore Open, Leong Jun Hao of Malaysia dethroned the reigning champion, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia, ending his two-year dominance at the tournament.
Leong Jun Hao entered the match against the world number 3, Ginting, without being discouraged by his previous two defeats against the Indonesian star. With a determined performance, Leong secured a hard-fought victory with a scoreline of 21-14, 10-21, 21-8, becoming the first player to defeat Ginting at the Singapore Open since Kento Momota achieved the feat in the 2019 final.
Reflecting on his triumph, the 24-year-old expressed his joy at playing proactively and revealed his upcoming quarterfinal clash against the world number 1, Viktor Axelsen. Leong acknowledged his improvement in facing strong opponents like Axelsen and emphasized the importance of staying aggressive and seizing opportunities to finish points efficiently. This breakthrough victory marked a significant milestone for Leong after his previous losses to Ginting.
On the other hand, Ginting admitted that Leong managed the conditions better during their match. Despite facing challenges on the court, Ginting recognized his opponent's strengths and analyzed his own errors that hindered his performance. Both players encountered difficulties in adapting to the fluctuating momentum of the game, showcasing the intense competition between them.
Since finishing as the runner-up to Jonatan Christie at the All England in March, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist has struggled against top 10 players in individual and team events, experiencing three consecutive defeats. Ginting viewed the match as a valuable learning experience and expressed his hopes of improving his results leading up to the upcoming Olympics, emphasizing the importance of drawing lessons from his performance at the Singapore Open.
Leong Jun Hao's triumph over Anthony Ginting at the 2024 Singapore Open marked a significant milestone in his career, ending Ginting's two-year reign at the tournament. The intense competition and strategic gameplay displayed by both players highlighted the unpredictable nature of badminton matches at the highest level.