KUALA LUMPUR: Former Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao believes he has to improve in the next six months or face the prospect of being dropped from the national team.
The 23-year-old's inconsistent form continued when he failed to make the main draw of the Malaysia Masters today.
World No. 63 Jun Hao lost 20-22, 21-19, 21-11 to Taiwan's Chi Yu Jen in a gruelling 71-minute battle at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
The result was disappointing, considering that Jun Hao had beaten the Taiwanese player in three of their last four matches.
Jun Hao was visibly disappointed with the outcome as he had vowed to bounce back from his modest campaign at the recent Phnom Penh Cambodia Sea Games, where he claimed a silver (men's team) and a bronze (men's singles).
More is expected from Jun Hao, who is already in his sixth year with the senior squad, especially after claiming his breakthrough World Tour victory at the Super 100 Indonesia Masters in October last year.
However, he has failed to build on that success, also failing to qualify for the main tournament of the Thailand Masters in January and the Spain Masters in March.
"I am aware that my place with the national team is not safe. The title I secured last year would not be enough if I intend to remain a national player," confessed Jun Hao.
"I am quite upset with myself for struggling to be consistent. There were days when I played well, but there were also days when I could not.
"I'll need to keep improving and try to win a couple of titles this year to save myself from being dropped.
"I fear for my future, but there's nothing more I can do than let my performance on the court do the talking."
The exit of two independent shuttlers, Cheam June Wei and Soong Joo Ven, summed up a poor campaign for the host in the men's singles qualifying. June Wei lost 21-8, 7-21, 21-14 to Taiwan's Lee Chia Hao, while Joo Ven went down 21-8, 21-18 to South Korea's Jeon Hyeok Jin.
June Wei was the biggest let-down as he was just one win away from qualifying for the main draw after being handed a walkover by Ireland's Nhat Nguyen.
The host enjoyed better fortune in the doubles events, with professionals Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See and Tan Kian Meng-Tan Wee Kiong progressing into the first-round proper.
Peng Soon-Yee See gained sweet revenge on Indonesia's Adnan Maulana-Nita Violina Marwah, whom they had lost to at the Orleans Masters, by winning 21-19, 22-20. They will face seventh seeds Kim Won Ho-Jang Na Eun of Korea tomorrow.
Kian Meng-Wee Kiong defeated Canada's Kevin Lee-Ty Alexander Lindeman 21-16, 21-11, earning them a date against Scotland's Adam Hall-Alexander Dunn.
