Duel in Paris? Zii Jia faces possible last-eight clash with Momota

PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 Kento Momota of Japan is the last person anyone wants to play with at the moment.

Unfortunately, Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia may cross paths with the Japanese star for the fourth time this season, possibly in the last eight of the French Open which begins in Paris today.

On Sunday, Momota continued his unstoppable run by successfully defending his Denmark Open crown to make it five victories on the trot dating back to late July.

He bulldozed past Rio Olympics gold medallist Chen Long of China 21-14, 21-12 to extend his unbeaten run to an astonishing 26 matches.

He has only dropped just four games in the last four months!

Prior to his victory in Odense, he had conquered the Japan Open, World Championships in Basel, Switzerland, China Open and Korean Open to bring his title collection to nine this season.

His four other titles are the German Open, All-England, Singapore Open and Asian Championships in Wuhan, China.

Zii Jia knows he will need more than just his new-found backhand smash ability that stunned Momota twice during their recent clash at the Korean Open — to beat him. He has also lost to Momota at the World Championships and Sudirman Cup in tame straight-game defeats.

But world No. 15 Zii Jia has to deal with a tricky first-round match against Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting before even dreaming of a rematch with Momota.

Should Zii Jia clear his opening hurdle, he will take on either China’s Huang Yuxiang or Khosit Phetpradab of Thailand for a place in the last eight.

The other Malaysians competing in Paris are men’s doubles pairs Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi; Soniia Cheah (women’s singles); Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean, Vivian HooYap Cheng Wen (women’s doubles); and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (mixed doubles).

Among them, Yew Sin-Ee Yi and Soon Huat-Shevon have landed themselves arguably the toughest draw.

Yew Sin-Ee Yi face reigning world champions and Denmark Open runners-up Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia, while Soon HuatShevon face China’s world No. 1 Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong.