KUALA LUMPUR: National back-up shuttler Ng Tze Yong (pic) was on song en route to becoming the surprise winner of the men’s singles event in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) Invitational Championships. In an anticlimactic final, the 20-year-old Tze Yong upset injury-plagued Leong Jun Hao 21-13, 21-8 at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday. It was a mismatch from the get go as the former Asian junior champion Jun Hao was clearly not in the best condition, having been affected by a right hip injury sustained during his win against Lim Chong King on Saturday. The 21-year-old Jun Hao requested medical time-out several times, especially in the second game. But to Jun Hao’s credit, he fought bravely until the very last point of the match. As for Tze Yong, he deserved to win, albeit with a bit of luck. He had, after all, won five out of the seven matches played and it included a victory over Soong Joo Ven and a defeat to Liew Daren on Wednesday although these results were declared null and void following the withdrawal of the two competitors. Victory puts Tze Yong in the running for a spot in the Thomas Cup Finals in Aarhus, Denmark, from Oct 3-11. “I may have been lucky in my win. Still, I’m very, very proud of myself because this is a result of the hard work I have put in during training,” said Tze Yong. “Before the tournament, I didn’t think I could win. Even a top four is a bonus. “It was unfortunate that Jun Hao wasn’t in his best in the final. I actually played against him as if he wasn’t injured, I didn’t want to take it for granted.” Asked if he’s confident of sealing the Thomas Cup spot through this victory, he said: “I certainly hope this would stand me in good stead. But it still depends on the coaches.” Tze Yong was in the Malaysia team who finished runners-up to Indonesia at the Asia Team Championships in Manila in February, but he wasn’t fielded in a single match. Jun Hao, who also had to be contented as the second best during the National Championships in Ipoh last year when he retired in the final against Joo Ven due to an ankle injury, took yesterday’s defeat in his stride. “I felt the pain when I woke up, but I decided to play on and see how it would go but the pain got worse,” said Jun Hao. “It’s a shame that this has to happen to me in yet another final. “I tried, but it was just too painful. Hopefully it’s not too serious.”