ZII JIA ON SMASHING RUN
Malaysian beats two former world champions this year
THERE was triple joy for Lee Zii Jia after taking down former world champion Viktor Axelsen in the second round of the Korea Open.
Not only was Zii Jia’s 21-18, 2116 win over world No. 7 Axelsen in Incheon yesterday his first over the Dane in two meetings, it also ensured he is through to his eighth quarter-final this year.
To top it all off, the Dane is the second world champion the 21year-old Malaysian has beaten this year, the other being China’s Chen Long.
“I’m very happy to made it to my eighth quarter-final this year and also to beat my idol — Viktor.
“It means a lot to me to beat him but I also know that he isn’t at his best yet. I do hope he will come back stronger,” said Zii Jia, who has been struggling for consistency following early exits at the Taiwan and China Opens.
Former World No. 1 Axelsen took a three-month break to recuperate from persistent injuries problems and the Korea Open was only in his second tournament since returning to action.
And the lengthy break clearly showed as Zii Jia proved to be the sharper player on court and moved his opponent well before finishing off the contest in just 35 minutes.
Though thrilled to have beaten Axelsen at the second time of asking, Zii Jia knows that a tougher hurdle awaits him in the quarterfinals in the form of red-hot world No. 1 and reigning world champion Kento Momota of Japan.
“As for the quarter-finals, it’s going to be tough against Momota. I am 0-3 against him and it is hard to take him on, but I will give it my best,” said Zii Jia, who has played against Momota twice this year — losing in straight games in the Sudirman Cup and the World Championships.
The Kedahan will have extra motivation to do well, though, as it will certainly help in his bid to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The national No. 1 is currently No. 7 in the qualifying race and on course to qualify as the topranked Malaysian.
“Right now, I’m the No. 1 Malaysian and I think my chance is big, but I don’t want to think about it too much. It’s more important to focus on my results and to take care of my body,” said Zii Jia.
His chances are look good indeed as his main rival for the Olympic spot — independent shuttler Liew Daren — lost to India’s P. Kashyap in the second round.
The 32-year-old Daren, who scored a fine win over five-time world champion Lin Dan in the first round, ran out of gas to go down 17-21, 21-11, 12-21 to Kashyap.
It’s also the end of the road for men’s doubles Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, who lost 9-21, 20-22 to Indonesia’s World No. 1 Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo.
World No. 11 V Shem-Wee Kiong had also gone down to the same pair in the quarter-finals of the China Open last week.