NEW DELHI, Jan 18 — Malaysia’s professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia is pleased as punch after his come-from-behind 20 - 22, 21 - 19, 21 - 12 first-round win over Indonesia’s Shesar Hiren Rhustavito in the India Open here today.
Zii Jia deserves praise for fighting back from a first-game setback to win the 63-minute battle at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall.
It was a performance that even he was thrilled about, especially after his shocking first-round exit at the recent Malaysia Open.
“I am trying to get back my form as soon as possible,” said the 25-year-old Zii Jia, who also described the fan support here as 'amazing'.
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National badminton players and men's doubles Teo Ee Yi (left) and Ong Yew Sin (right) during the match against Taiwanese players Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin, in the second round match of the 2022 Malaysia Open Badminton Championships at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on June 30, 2022. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
Meanwhile, national independent men’s doubles pair Ong Yew Sin - Teo Ee Yi had no problems disposing off Japan’s Akira Koga - Taichi Saito 21 - 15, 21 - 15 in 39 minutes.
The Malaysian pair will meet either Frenchmen Christo Popov - Toma Junior Popov or Thais Supak Jomkoh - Kittinupong Kedren in the second round tomorrow.
National women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan - M. Thinaah followed in the footsteps of Zii Jia when they too made amends for crashing out in the first round of the Malaysia Open by downing India’s Ashwini Bhat-Shikha Gautam 21 - 8, 21 - 11.
“We just want to regain our momentum and rhythm,” said Pearly.
Meanwhile, there was no such luck for Ng Tze Yong when he lost 19 - 21, 14 - 21 to China's Li Shi Feng in their men’s singles first round.
— Bernama
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National badminton players and women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan (left) and M. Thinaah (right) training for the 2022 Malaysia Open Badminton Championships, at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur, on June 27, 2022. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
