KUALA LUMPUR – Lee Zii Jia’s hopes of winning his second All England title were dashed after the world number two lost 21-19, 21-13 at the hands of China’s Shi Yuqi in the semi-finals today at Utilita Arena in Birmingham.
Zii Jia was leading in the first set but the 12th-seeded Chinese player fought his way back to tie at the 19th point and go on to clinch the set.
Yuqi, who won the 2018 All England tournament, looked comfortable in the second set as he maintained a big margin over Zii Jia and eventually booked his spot in the finals tomorrow after wrapping up the match in 43 minutes.
Yuqi will either face compatriot Li Shifeng or Denmark’s Anders Antonsen for his shot at his second All England title.
This win makes it Yuqi’s fourth win out of five games against Zii Jia, with their last meeting at the 2022 Denmark Open final where Yuqi won 21-18, 16-21, 21-12.
Having won the 2021 edition of the prestigious tournament, Zii Jia made his way to the semi-finals yesterday after getting his revenge against Kodai Naraoka in the previous round, winning 21-9, 10-21, 21-13.
Zii Jia’s exit means all Malaysians are out of the tournament, with the Kedah-born player still searching for a title since his last win at the 2022 Thailand Open. – The Vibes, March 18, 2023.
