Hong Yang took 40 minutes to defeat the lower-ranked Malaysian 21-14, 21-13. This is the third time Jun Hao has lost to the Chinese player in as many meetings.

Jun Hao had a poor start in BWF tournaments this year, beginning with the Malaysia Open early this month where he was eliminated in the first round.

At the India Open last week, he lost in the second round.

However, the men’s doubles have had a better showing, with five of the six pairs making it to the last 16 tomorrow.

They are Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong, Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King.

As for the mixed doubles, top national pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin have also cleared their first-round hurdles to go into the last 16.

Two Malaysian women’s doubles pairs have made it to the second round. They are Pearly Tan-M Thinaah and Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing.

Women’s singles player K Letshanaa managed to enter the second round after a narrow win over her Ukranian opponent, but her compatriot Goh Jin Wei fell in the opener to a Taiwanese player.