BWF Arctic Open 2024: Jonatan Christie through, Lee Zii Jia out in quarter-finals
Christie continued his Arctic Open campaign into the semi-finals, while Paris 2024 bronze medallist Lee bowed out on Friday (11 October)
Badminton
Jonatan Christie progressed to the BWF Arctic Open 2024 semi-finals, but an injury-hampered Lee Zii Jia was knocked out in the final eight on Friday (11 October).
Fifth seed Christie cruised past Lee Cheuk Yiu, the unseeded shuttler from Hong Kong, China, as he continues his pursuit for a third badminton title of 2024.
Christie dispatched his opponent 21-5, 21-12 in a men's singles match which lasted just 35 minutes, showing his quality to take a step closer to lifting the trophy.
The Indonesian will make up an enticing semi-final clash against sixth seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who beat number two Naraoka Kodai in straight sets.
On the other hand, Lee suffered in an encounter where he sustained a nasty ankle injury early on, losing his balance and had to pause to receive medical treatment.
Though the Paris 2024 bronze medallist soldiered on, Watanabe was in control and closed out the first set 21-15, before Lee roared back in the second set 13-21.
But the impact of the injury showed in the decider, Lee not as mobile as usual and missing that final touch to break through. Watanabe was more clinical and controlled in his shots and pulled off a stunning upset 21-12 to reach the semi-finals.
Watanabe will play Chou Tien Chen, who defeated Alex Lanier in a three-set thriller. A tantalisingly tight opening set was edged out by Chou, and though the Frenchman roared back in the second, it was the seventh seed from Chinese Taipei who came out on top to prevail 22-20, 13-21, 21-19.
In the women’s singles draw, Ratchanok Intanon came out on top in an all-Thai thriller against Supanida Katethong, defeating the fifth seed 24-22, 10-21, 23-21.
Her opponent comes from the result of another battle between compatriots, with Miyazaki Tomoka into the semi-finals after beating Japanese counterpart Nidaira Natsuki in straight identical sets.
Second seed Han Yue needed to come from behind to book her place in the final four, the Chinese shuttler eventually overcoming Yeo Jia Min of Singapore.
She sets up an exciting semi-final clash with third seed Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, the Indonesian who beat Michelle Li 21-15, 21-18 in her quarter-final match.
The semi-finals and finals will be available to watch live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app for mobile devices (territorial restrictions may apply).