Malaysian men’s singles coaching director Jonassen hopes Leong Jun Hao can rediscover his form at the Kumamoto Masters in Japan, a venue that once marked a major breakthrough in his career.
Last year, the 26-year-old delivered a remarkable run in this World Tour Super 500 event, defeating top opponents to reach the final and finishing as runner-up. However, his 2025 season has been inconsistent, with quarterfinal finishes at the Singapore Open and Hong Kong Open but early exits in his last four tournaments, including the recent German Highland Open.
Jonassen expressed his disappointment with Leong’s recent performances but remains optimistic about his potential comeback. “It will be a tough first-round match against an experienced player. I hope Jun Hao can regain his confidence and momentum from this tournament where he made his breakthrough last year,” said Jonassen.
World No. 22 Leong Jun Hao will face India’s seasoned campaigner Prannoy (World No. 34) in the opening round. Jonassen emphasized that the challenge now is different. “He’s no longer an unknown name—opponents know his style and strengths. It’s not about changing his technique now, but about improving his physical endurance and match intensity to make his rhythm harder to read.”
Prannoy, despite battling injuries and inconsistency, remains a dangerous opponent. Both players have an even 1-1 head-to-head record. If Leong advances, he will face the winner between Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan and Denmark’s Jink in the second round.
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