KUALA LUMPUR – The Axiata Arena heaved a sigh of relief as national men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia advanced to the second round of the Malaysia Masters today.
The world number 10 beat China’s Lu Guang Zu 21-12, 21-19.
Zii Jia held a comfortable lead in the first set, but the second set saw Guang Zu finding his rhythm, leading the set at 18-11 with many expecting the match to head into the third set.
However, Zii Jia clawed his way back from the seven-point deficit to win the game in 45 minutes.
After the match, Zii Jia admitted the second set was a challenge for him as his opponent began to mount a comeback to force the rubber set.
“It was an easy start for the first game. Although it was a bit tough in the second set because he found his rhythm, my patience strategy paid off.
“I had a good performance in China last week and it gave me the confidence to win today,” he said.
Zii Jia will now take on Lin Chun-Yi in the second round tomorrow after the Chinese Taipei player defeated defending champion Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo of Indonesia 13-21, 21-16, 21-8.
Meanwhile, national singles player Ng Tze Yong was knocked out by Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto 17-21, 21-16, 21-13.
Tze Yong said he could not keep up with Nishimoto’s speed.
“He was much faster in the second and third set, especially his shuttle speed.
“He also did not make many mistakes in the final set, ” said Tze Yong.
Earlier today, all national mixed doubles pairs were knocked out in the opening round.
Women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei was defeated by Germany’s Yvonne Li 21-17, 17-21, 21-15, while men’s doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Tan Wee Kiong fell to Scottish team Alexander Dunn-Adam Hall 23-21, 14-21, 21-16. – The Vibes, May 24, 2023
