[UPDATED] Indonesia Open: Zii Jia defeated at the hands of Axelsen

KUALA LUMPUR – National badminton player Lee Zii Jia gets knocked out of the Indonesian Open at the hands of world number one Viktor Axelsen, losing 19-21, 21-11, 23-21.

Both world-class shuttlers gave each other no breathing room, but Zii Jia managed to inch ahead and take what was a thrilling first set. 

Axelsen bounced back in the second set, leading it entirely and winning with a big gap and forcing the third set.  

At the end of the second set however, Zii Jia needed a quick visit from the doctor for what seemed like a minor hip injury. 

The final set showdown was close with Zii Jia hunting down Axelsen and closing the gap, making it to 20-20, but Axelsen turned on the jets and closed the game out in an hour and nine minutes. 

Axelsen will face either China’s Zhao Jun Peng or H.S. Prannoy of India tomorrow in the finals.

Meanwhile, men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik also exited the tournament after losing to China’s Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi 21-18, 21-13.

The Chinese duo were in control in the first set and did not allow the Malaysian pair to take the lead. 

Liu-Ou then made quick work of the second set, winning in 37 minutes to book their spot in the finals tomorrow. – The Vibes, June 18, 2022