Zii Jia continues fine form at Malaysia Masters

National men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia in action against India’s Kiran George in their 2024 Malaysia Masters second round match at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s No 1 men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia beat India’s Kiran George 21-13, 21-18 to book his spot in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Malaysia Masters today.

The World No 10, who took 44 minutes to defeat George at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, will now face Denmark’s World No 4 Anders Antonsen for a berth in the semi-finals.

Zii Jia, the 2021 All England champion, beat China’s Zhao Jun Peng 19-21, 21-11, 21-14 in the opening round of the Malaysia Masters yesterday.

He is coming off a win in the Thailand Open last Sunday, his first title of the year.

World No 1 and tournament top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark is also through to the last eight of the Malaysia Masters after beating Thailand’s Panitchapon Teeraratsakul 21-18, 21-13.

National men’s singles ace Leong Jun Hao and women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei exited the tournament after second round losses today.

Jun Hao lost 15-21, 16-21 to third seed Li Shi Feng of China, while Jin Wei fell 10-21, 14-21 to Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan.

Although Jun Hao said he knew what to expect in his second meeting with Shi Feng, after having lost to the reigning Asian Games gold medallist at the recent Thomas Cup finals, the 25-year-old admitted he had difficulty countering Shi Feng’s attacks.

“I tried not to let him pull away but maybe I’m guilty of overthinking,” said Jun Hao in a Bernama report.

Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, youngsters Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi (men’s doubles), Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, Tan Kian Meng-Li Pei Jing (mixed doubles) and women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M Thinaah all reached the last eight in today’s other action.