Another high for Zii Jia

Youngster sends third seed Leverdez packing in last eight

PETALING JAYA: It was a show of determination as youngster Lee Zii Jia stormed into the semi-finals of the Bitburger Open in Germany.

The 19-year-old shuttler bounced back to pull off a stunning 19-21, 21-18, 21-10 win over third seed Brice Leverdez of France in the men’s singles quarter-finals at the Saarlandhalle Arena in Saarbrucken on Friday.

It was a superb win for world No. 55 Zii Jia considering that world No. 31 Leverdez was victorious over Malaysian world No. 8 Lee Chong Wei in the first round of the Glasgow World Championships in August.

Zii Jia had also upset world No. 33 Qiao Bin of China in straight games in the third round on Thursday.

Zii Jia now plays Danish youngster Rasmus Gemke for a place in the final. World No. 60 Gemke booked his last four spot by beating Brazilian seventh seed Ygor Coelho 21-12, 15-21, 21-12.

And Zii Jia now hopes to finally earn a breakthrough in his third semi-finals of a Grand Prix-rated tournament. He was beaten in the last four of the Thailand Masters and Taiwan Open earlier this year.

“It was a really tough match against Brice. There were a lot of long rallies and I had to be patient,” said Zii Jia.

“But in the end I earned a really good win since Brice is so experienced and having beaten Chong Wei.

“It was sweet revenge on behalf of Chong Wei and for Malaysia as well.

“Now I hope to make the final. I’m going out there to play my best and not let the pressure get to me. I’m still young and this is part of my learning curve,” added Zii Jia.

It was, however, the end of the road for Goh V Shem-Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin-Tan Wee Kiong in the men’s doubles.

V Shem-Ee Yi were outclassed 12-21, 15-21 by fourth seeds Fajar Alfian-Muhd Rian Ardianto of Indonesia while Yew Sin-Wee Kiong succumbed to an 18-21, 12-21 loss to Danish second seeds Kim AstrupAnders Skaarup Rasmussen.