Thomas & Uber Cup 2024: Lee Zii Jia leads Malaysia into Thomas Cup semis as Momota bows out
Lee Zii Jia's dominant win spurred Malaysia into the semi-final of the badminton Thomas Cup on Thursday (2 May), beating Japan 3-1.
The 26-year-old was first to take the court, up against Nishimoto Kenta. In a one-sided showing, Lee defeated his opponent in style in straight games 21-13, 21-3. Nishimoto had no answer for Lee, who led 8-0, 14-1, and 17-2 at various points in the second game after a closer first game in which the two had been level at 11-11.
Trailing after the first round, Japanese duo Hoki Takuro and Kobayashi Yugo came from behind to beat Malaysian pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 18-21, 21-14, 21-19.
Level 1-1 headed into the third round, the next point was crucial and it would fall in favour of Malaysia courtesy of a storming display from Leong Jun Hao, who got the best of Watanabe Koki 21-13, 21-10.
The second round of doubles was make or break for Japan, who needed a point to keep the tie alive. Koga Akira and Saito Taichi took the first game, but it was Malaysian pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin who overturned the deficit and secure their team a spot in the last four 18-21, 21-15, 21-12.
The 3-1 overall victory means that Malaysia are into the semi-finals of the Thomas Cup for the first time since 2016.
It wasn't the fairytale ending Japan's Momota Kento would have hoped for, this being his final tournament before retiring from international play. But the score meant that the 29-year-old was unable to feature in the tie, with his match against Justin Hoh not needed to decide the result.
Malaysia will play the hosts and favourites People's Republic of China in the semi-finals. China knocked out defending champions India 3-1, with three of the four matches – including Lakshya Sen's surprise 70-minute win over Li Shifeng – going the full three games.
In the women's Uber Cup, China and Japan will contest the first semi-final having both progressed to the last four comfortably.
China saw off Denmark 3-0, with Japan sending India home also by a 3-0 margin.
The Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2024 are available to stream live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app for mobile devices (territorial restrictions may apply).
BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2024 - Results - Thursday 2 May
Thomas Cup
- Quarter-final: People's Republic of China 3-1 India
- Quarter-final: Japan 1-3 Malaysia
Uber Cup
- Quarter-final: People's Republic of China 3-0 Denmark
- Quarter-final: Japan 3-0 India