PETALING JAYA, Sept. 18 -- National men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao has reportedly fell short of a place in the China Masters quarter-finals after a three-game defeat to China's world No 4 Li Shifeng at the Shenzhen Arena.

According to a report in Free Malaysia Today, Jun Hao, ranked 22nd in the world, forced a decider but eventually lost 21-11, 19-21, 21-8 in a 67-minute battle.

It was a repeat of their clash at the Hong Kong Open last week, where Jun Hao came close to victory but was edged out in another gruelling three-game contest.

The Malaysian, who has now lost seven of his eight meetings against Shifeng, is still searching for a breakthrough semi-final appearance this year after two quarter-final runs and five first-round e...