KUALA LUMPUR: K. Letshanaa opened her 2026 campaign with an encouraging victory, but it was an early exit for teammates Wong Ling Ching and Justin Hoh at the Indonesia Masters on Wednesday.
World No. 42 Letshanaa, playing her first competitive match of the year, staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Taiwan’s world No. 36 Hsu Wen Chi 9-21, 21-12, 22-20 at Istora Senayan in Jakarta.
In a thrilling decider, Letshanaa fought back from 17-12 down and even saved a match point at 20-19, gaining revenge on the same opponent who had beaten her in their 2024 Uber Cup group-stage encounter.
She will now meet Canada’s Michelle Li, the world No. 12 and sixth seed, on Thursday as she looks to book a place in her first Super 500 quarter-final.
World No. 43 Ling Ching, returning to competition after last month’s SEA Games, was unable to progress after falling to former world junior champion Pitchamon Opatniputh of Thailand. Despite taking the opening game, Ling Ching was overturned as Pitchamon, world No. 36, sealed a 20-22, 21-13, 21-12 win.
In the men’s singles, world No. 37 Justin Hoh continued his difficult run of form, losing 21-15, 21-11 to China’s world No. 28 Wang Zheng Xing.
The result was particularly disappointing given Justin had beaten Zheng Xing convincingly at the Korea Open just four months ago. He is now still searching for his first victory of the year after also exiting in the opening round of last week’s India Open.
