KUALA LUMPUR – Independent men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia has booked his second consecutive quarter-final appearance this season after defeating his opponent in the second round of the Indonesia Masters at the Istora Senayan Indoor Stadium in Jakarta today.
Last week, Zii Jia advanced to the quarter-finals of the India Open but his journey was cut short by Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.
Today, he comfortably overcame the hurdle of Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long, who has a 4-2 record over the world number 10, in straight sets 22-20, 21-15 in 46 minutes.
The former All England winner will next play the winner of the match between India’s Priyanshu Rajawat and Canada’s Brian Yang.
Yang had scored a big win in the first round yesterday after dispatching the Super 500 tournament’s second seed Li Shifeng of China in three sets 21-18, 14-21, 23-21.
Earlier, an all-Malaysian clash took place between independent mixed doubles pairs Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing with the latter triumphing 21-12, 21-16 in 41 minutes.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing will play world number one pair Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong from China in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
The same could not be said for another independent mixed doubles pair, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, who fell to South Korea’s world number seven pair Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun in straight sets 21-10, 21-16 in 33 minutes.
Speaking to BWF after the match, Shevon expressed her frustration on the court, citing difficulties in finding her rhythm and grappling with the drift during the match.
“I just could not get my touches in, and in the second game, I could not regain my confidence.
“I wasn’t feeling myself much today as I was feeling a little bit queasy and weak, and that caused a lot of mistakes in my game,” she said.
Soon Huat also acknowledged the need for a tactical shift if they were to replay the match, emphasising the importance of taking the initiative and being on the front foot.
“We waited for them to attack, and that gave them the advantage. They were also much more consistent,” said Soon Huat, highlighting the need for a proactive approach.
Despite the setback, Soon Huat remained optimistic about their performance and outlined plans to participate in the Thailand Masters next week. – January 25, 2024