Thailand Open: ’10 Marks for Effort’
Leong Jun Hao gave himself a big pat on the back after a fighting display almost knocked out home favourite and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn from the TOYOTA Thailand Open 2024 second round.
· PREM KUMAR
Leong and Vitidsarn, rivals in their junior days, served up a gruelling 92-minute thriller, leaving fans on the edge of their Nimibutr Stadium seats in Bangkok.
Leong edged the opener 22-20 before Vitidsarn took the second game 21-14. The decider was nip and tuck with the world champion unable to establish a lead of more than two points after the interval. Trailing 19-18, Leong’s two straight points left him with a chance to wrap up proceedings but Vitidsarn aced three of the last four rallies to seal his progress.
“I played well and was consistent throughout but I was maybe missing a bit of luck,” said Leong, who came into the match 3-1 ahead in the head-to-head.