KUALA LUMPUR – Independent men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia survived a minor scare in the first round of the Thailand Open today.
Facing world number 33 Lei Lanxi of China, the Kedahan was behind 11-9 at the first set interval during the match at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
But Zii Jia rallied to close the set and match 21-17, 23-21.
He will next face Jeon Hyeok-jin of South Korea in the second round tomorrow.
The former All England champ has a 2-0 win record over the Korean, with their last meeting at the semi-final stage of the 2023 Sudirman Cup.
Earlier, national men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao defeated Su Li-yang from Chinese Taipei 14-21, 21-15, 21-17.
Then, mixed doubles pairs Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow defeated Liu Chun-wai-Fu Chi-yan from Hong Kong 21-17, 21-19, and Choong Hon Jian-Go Pei Kee bested Neuaduang Mangkornloi-Atitaya Povanon 21-10, 21-15.
In the men’s doubles, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi shocked tournament sixth seeds Lu Ching-yao-Yang Po-han 16-21, 21-13, 21-16 in 63 minutes.
Hon Jian got back onto the court, this time with Muhammad Haikal Nazri, to defeat Scottish siblings Christopher and Matthew Grimley 21-16, 21-11, in 32 minutes.
The action at the Super 500 tournament continues tomorrow. – May 15, 2024