KUALA LUMPUR: Leong Jun Hao’s European campaign continued to stutter as he fell to a straight-games defeat against Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the opening round of the French Open on Wednesday.
The world No. 20 found himself outgunned 21-16, 21-15 by the two-time Olympic champion, who looked close to his imperious best after a prolonged spell of injury struggles this season.
Axelsen, now ranked No. 26 in the world, showed that he is gradually regaining his rhythm, building on his semi-final run at last week’s Denmark Open.
The victory also stretched his head-to-head record over Jun Hao to 2-0.
It was another frustrating outing for the 26-year-old Malaysian, who has now suffered first-round exits in three successive tournaments following the Korea Open and Denmark Open.
Jun Hao will look to rediscover his winning touch in his final European stop at next week’s Hylo Open in Saarbrücken, Germany.
Meanwhile, K. Letshanaa’s French Open debut also ended in disappointment. The world No. 39 was beaten 11-21, 21-13, 21-16 by India’s world No. 35 Unnati Hooda after failing to capitalise on a strong start.
Letshanaa, who was making her maiden appearance in a Super 750 event, began brightly but lost momentum as Hooda settled into her rhythm in the second and third games.
The 22-year-old, who had never competed beyond Super 500 level prior to this, will nevertheless take valuable experience from her first taste of top-tier competition on the World Tour.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
