Huelva: Three Malaysian shuttlers, including Cheam June Wei, Ng Tze Yong & Leong Jun Hao will play in the 2021 Spain Masters first round on May 19, 2021.
The World No. 75 Cheam June Wei debuted this season at the 2021 Orleans Masters which was held from March 23 to March 28 in Orleans, France. He lost to Kidambi Srikanth of India 17-21, 20-22 in the third round. At the Spain Masters, he is set to open against Jeppe Bruun of Denmark.
The reigning Polish Open champion Ng Tze Yong was placed in the bottom half of the draw. The Malaysian will start his campaign on Wednesday against Raul Must of Estonia and could potentially face No. 2 seed Toma Junior Popov of France in the second round.
Malaysia’s 2017 Asia Junior champion Leong Jun Hao was handed a tough draw in the top half as he could face former World No. 17 Ihsan Maulana Mustofa of Indonesia or another Indonesian, the No. 1 seed Shesar Hiren Rhustavito in the second round.
Meanwhile, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has withdrawn two women’s singles players – World No. 61 Kisona Selvaduray, World No. 125 Goh Jin Wei, and the 2021 Polish Open men’s doubles champions Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun from the Spain Masters citing that they did not seem ready to compete in tournaments just yet.
“It’s not a big deal. The plan is to get them ready for the Lithuanian International in June,” said Wong Choong Hann, the coaching director of BAM.
In the women’s singles competition, the reigning Olympic champion, Carolina Marin who was seeded top, has confirmed her withdrawal from the tournament which would take place in her hometown Huelva. She is currently preparing herself to focus on reaching her peak in the Tokyo Olympics.
