Off court issues bugging Zii Jia

men’s singles Lee Zii Jia will have to sort out his personal problems if he wants to do well at the Singapore Open, which starts today.

Former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei revealed yesterday that the 21-year-old’s recent dip in form could be due to some off courtrelated matters.

Last week, the World No 23 suffered his second consecutive first round exit, when he was sent packing by Thailand’s Suppanyu Avihingsanon in the Malaysia Open.

Prior to the World Tour Super 750 tournament, Zii Jia was knocked out by Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in the Swiss Open.

“I spoke to coach Hendrawan and apparently Zii Jia has got personal problems. Maybe we need to give him some time to sort things out,” said Chong Wei.

“Some players can go on and play but some just can’t. Hopefully, Zii Jia settles it quickly and concentrates on his game.

“This year is going to be tough because he wants to qualify for the Olympics too. He needs to break into the world’s top 16.

“A good result in Singapore would do him good,” Chong Wei added.

The three-time Olympic silver medallist, however, chose not to elaborate on the issue faced by his teammate.

Zii Jia, who started the season rather consistently by making four straight quarter-finals (Thailand Masters, Malaysia Masters, Indonesia Masters and German Open), is drawn to face Son Wan Ho of South Korea in the opening round of the Singapore Open.

Wan Ho, who is still injured, will likely be replaced by a shuttler from the qualifying round.

Compatriot Liew Daren will open against Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto.

Also competing in the tournament are Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles), Goh V ShemTan Wee Kiong, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and Mohd Arif Latif-Nur Azriyn Ayub (men’s doubles).