BANGKOK – Malaysian men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia had to work hard before defeating Indonesian Shesar Hiren Rhustavito to advance to the Thailand Open 2022 semi-finals at the Impact Arena, here, today.
Lee will now face compatriot Liew Daren, who stormed into the last four after defeating China’s Zhao Jun Peng 21-10, 19-21, 21-19, for a place in tomorrow’s final.
Lee, currently ranked World No. 6 and now the highest-seeded player left in the men’s singles competition, took 56 minutes to clinch the 21-10, 14-21, 21-16 victory over Shesar Hiren.
The 24-year-old had a good game in the first set but could not maintain his momentum before losing 14-21 in the second.
The rubber set turned out to be a testimony of Lee’s mental strength. Trailing 4-12 at one stage, the reigning men’s singles Asian champion crawled back into the game as he picked point after point to tie the score at 15-15.
There was no looking back after that as he shifted gears for a 21-16 win and a semi-final slot.
Today’s win brings his unbeaten streak to 11 matches but the independent shuttler admitted that it had been a tough match against the Indonesian.
“I lacked confidence and focus today. My fitness is okay, but I’m slightly tired mentally, especially after (competing) in high-intensity tournaments – the Asian Championships and Thomas Cup. I will do my best in the semi-finals tomorrow,” he said.
Liew also had to slog to earn his semi-final spot.
“It will be a tough game against Zii Jia tomorrow. I will do my best,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s top doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik continued their good run and checked into the semi-finals tomorrow after defeating Taiwanese pair Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin 21-17, 21-10 in only 29 minutes.
The Tokyo Olympics bronze-medalists and sixth-seeded pair will play against Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto.
Another Malaysian pair, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, crashed out in the quarter-finals today losing to Japanese duo Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi 21-18, 21-17.
National women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, however, had better fortunes, defeating Japanese pair Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota in straight sets.
The duo will now take on China’s Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan.
Meanwhile, independent mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Lai Shevon Jemie suffered a straight-games defeat to Japanese duo Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino 18-21, 17-21. – Bernama, May 21, 2022
