Badminton Malaysia Masters 2023: Lee Zii Jia crashes out before quarter-finals
The 25-year-old home favourite Lee Zii Jia lost to world number 28 Chun-Yi Lin in round two in Kuala Lumpur. Lin will face Naraoka Kodai in the quarter-finals.
Badminton
After a comfortable win in straight sets in the first round, Malaysian badminton star Lee Zii Jia faced a tougher challenge in round two of the Malaysia Masters against Chun-Yi Lin from Chinese Taipei on Thursday (25 May).
The former world number two found himself trailing 11-5 at the break in the first game as his 23-year-old opponent started strongly. Lee fought back, but Lin managed to keep his composure and clinch the first set 21-19.
In the second period, 2022 men's singles Asian champion Lee took control, leading 11-2 at the break and eventually wrapping up the game 21-16.
Both players fought hard to gain the upper hand in the decider, with Lin leading 11-7 at the break. The home crowd rallied behind a visibly tired Lee, bringing him back into the game at 12-11, but in the end it was the player from Chinese Taipei who emerged victorious after 87 minutes of play with a score of 21-15 as he progressed to the quarter-finals of the BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament.
"I think he tried his best, hopefully he can get some rest and prepare for the Singapore Open," Lee Zii Jia's sister and manager Zii Yii said after the match. She also admitted that the Malaysian star wasn't in his best condition after playing and winning all his matches at the recent Sudirman Cup.
Meanwhile, world number nine HS Prannoy made it to the quarter-finals in Malaysia after beating reigning All England champion Li Shi Feng 13-21, 21-16, 21-11. The 30-year-old Indian will face Japan's Nishimoto Kenta, who won his second-round match against third seed Jonatan Christie 20-22, 11-21.
There was more success for India in Kuala Lumpur when Srikanth Kidambi took on fifth seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. Kidambi won in straight sets with a score of 19-21, 19-21, and his next opponent will be Christian Adinata from Indonesia.
In the women's singles, Indian star PV Sindhu will play against China's Yi Man Zhang in the quarter-finals after defeating world number 28 Ohori Aya of Japan 21-16, 21-11.
Finally, world number one Yamaguchi Akane won in straight sets against Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt (21-18, 21-17), and in the quarter-finals she will face Canadian Michelle Li.
The Malaysia Masters will conclude on Sunday 28 May.