KUALA LUMPUR – National top shuttler Lee Zii Jia moves a step closer to claim a second All England title after overthrowing rival Kento Momota of Japan 21-7, 13-21, 21-11.
Defending champion Zii Jia was quick off the blocks in the first set, building a huge lead to take the set in under 15 minutes against Momota at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham.
However, world number two Momota came from behind with composure to claim the second set, forcing the match into a final set showdown.
In a thrilling third set, both shuttlers went at it against each other, but seventh seed Zii Jia got 10 straight points to cement his win and move on to the semi-finals.
Momota had won eight of the 10 previous encounters between the two, with the last win coming at the 2020 Thomas Cup.
Zii Jia will face India’s Lakshya Sen in the semi-finals tomorrow after the world number 11 was given a walkover by Lu Guang Zu of China in the quarter-finals.
Earlier today, women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan’s journey at the tournament came to an end in the quarter-finals after losing to South Korea’s Kim Hye Jeong-Jeong Na Een 21-15, 17-21, 9-21. – The Vibes, March 19, 2022
