Shuttler Justin faces Jun Hao in Lucknow on return from injury

KUALA LUMPUR: Tough luck strikes again, this time in the Super 300 Syed Modi International in Lucknow, India, which starts on Tuesday.

As fate would have it, two national men's singles players — Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh — will unfortunately face each other as early as the opening round.

Similar to last week's China Masters, when Lee Zii Jia defeated Ng Tze Yong in the first round, either Jun Hao or Justin will have to pack their bags early.

BA of Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky admitted they were helpless when faced with an unfavourable draw.

However, Rexy explained that Jun Hao and Tze Yong have different expectations.

Justin, 19, will be playing in his first international tournament since April after rupturing his Achilles tendon, while 24-year-old Jun Hao will be hoping to produce the same kind of form that saw him clinch the KL Masters title early this month.

"It's really unfortunate that both will face each other in the first round. What can we do?

"Having said that, their expectations are completely different.

"For Justin, this is his first tournament after a long layoff. I want to see if he can capture that tournament feeling.

"Jun Hao needs to step up to the plate.

"Jun Hao is a good player when he's on top of things, but he must realise that he is not being sent to tournaments to make up the numbers.

"He must believe and try to go for the top prize," said Rexy.

Regardless of the outcome, there are other top players the Malaysians must be wary about to go far in the competition.

Among the big names in the men's singles event are top seed H. S. Prannoy of India, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lakshya Sen, former world No, 1 K. Srikanth, Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen and China Masters' runner-up Kenta Nishimoto of Japan.

Another Malaysian in the fray is former BAM shuttler Cheam Jun Wei, who plays Indonesia's Shesar Hiren Rhustavito in the opening round.

Compatriots Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and Soong Joo Ven will play in the qualifying round.