2023 BWF Sudirman Cup Finals Day 4 - Lee Zii Jia beats Chou Tien Chen as Malaysia top Group C over Chinese Taipei

Malaysia closed out the group phase of the 2023 BWF Sudirman Cup with their third win from three, by beating Chinese Taipei 4-1 on Wednesday (17 May).

Led by Lee Zii Jia's 21-14, 23-21 slugfest of a win over Chou Tien Chen in the men's singles, Malaysia topped Group C with a near-perfect record at the mixed badminton team event in Suzhou, China, dropping just one match out of a possible 15.

Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei began the session with a 17-21, 21-19, 21-17 win against Ye Hong Wei/Lee Chia Hsin in the mixed doubles.

Following Lee Zii Jia's pivotal victory versus Chou, Tai Tzu Ying pulled one back for Chinese Taipei - who will join Malaysia in the knockout round - by beating Goh Jin Wei 21-8, 21-10.

But the Malaysians proved to be the deeper side as they went on to sweep the men's and women's doubles, Ong Yew Swin/Teo Ee Yi and Tan Pearly/Thinaah Muralitharan defeating Lu Ching Yao/Yang Po Han (21-8, 23-21) and Hsu Ya Ching/Teng Chun Hsun (21-15, 19-21, 21-15), respectively.

Often a man of few words, Lee seemed to bask in downing his tireless Chinese Taipei opponent, a match that swung the momentum in favour of his country.

"I’m very happy about the performance today. I handled it with pleasure and patience today," Lee said. "Today, both of us, I think it’s all about patience because we have fought each other many times in international tournaments.

"As I said before, he’s an experienced player. He knows how to handle all those situations very well. That’s why even though I was leading so far I wanted to keep my focus. He can chase up the point any time.

"It’s a crucial and important point for Malaysia. I’m also proud of myself for being able to take this point for my team. Hopefully the rest of the players can keep this confidence going."

• 2023 BWF Sudirman Cup Finals: All results, scores and standings - full list

2023 BWF Sudirman Cup Finals: Day 4 results

Group C

Malaysia 4 Chinese Taipei 1

1. XD: Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei def Ye Hong Wei/lee Chia Hsin 17-21, 21-19, 21-17
2. MS: Lee Zii Jia def Chou Tien Chen 21-14, 23-21
3. WS: Tai Tzu Ying def Goh Jin Wei 21-8, 21-10
4. MD: Ong Yew Swin/Teo Ee Yi def Lu Ching Yao/Yang Po Han 21-8, 23-21
5. WD: Tan Pearly/Thinaah Muralitharan def Hsu Ya Ching/Teng Chun Hsun 21-15, 19-21, 21-15

India 4 Australia 1

1. XD: Kenneth Zhe Hooi Choo/Gronya Somerville def Sai Pratheek.K/Tanisha Crasto 17-21, 21-14, 21-18
2. MS: Prannoy H.S. def Jack Yu 21-8, 21-8
3. WS: Anupama Upadhyaya def Tiffany Ho 21-16, 21-18
4. MD: M.R. Arjun/Dhruv Kapila def Ricky Tang/Rayne Wang 21-11, 21-12
5. WD: Tanisha Crasto/Ashwini Ponnappa def Kaitlyn Ea/Angela Yu 21-19, 21-13

• 2023 BWF Sudirman Cup Finals: All results, scores and standings - full list