It would take a whole lot more before Lee Zii Jia can consider himself a world beater.
Despite upstaging several top names en route to the semifinals of the Malaysia Masters last week, Zii Jia found himself on the receiving end in the Indonesia Masters yesterday.
The 22-year-old, who is the Malaysian No 1, crashed out in the first round of the Indonesia Masters.
World No 13 Zii Jia was caught sleeping at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, as he went down 17-21, 23-21, 21-12 to China’s World No 26, Huang Yu Xiang.
Zii Jia’s exit also brought an end to Malaysia's interest in the men's singles as independent shuttler, Liew Daren failed to clear the qualifying rounds on Tuesday.
“Overall, Zii Jia needs continual improvement in a number of areas.
“He lost focus (yesterday). He could have persevered more when his opponent showed resistance.
“Our work is to get him to regain his composure ahead of the Thailand Masters next week,” said BAM coaching director, Wong Choong Hann.
Meanwhile, four men’s doubles provided some joy for the Malaysian camp by reaching the second round.
Sea Games champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik defeated Indonesian duo Wahyu Nayaka Arya Pangkaryanira-Ade Yusuf Santoso 21-17, 22-20.
They will face Denmark’s Mathias Boe-Mads Conrad Petersen today for a place in the quarter-finals.
Compatriots Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have set up a date with China’s Di Zi Jian-Wang Chang, following a 21-15, 18-21, 21-16 win over former All England champions, Vladimir Ivanov-Ivan Sozonov of Russia.
Two former BAM pairs, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi scored convincing wins to keep their Olympic qualification hopes alive.
V Shem-Wee Kiong beat Taiwan’s Liao Min Chun-Su Ching Heng 21-18, 21-17 while Yew Sin-Ee Yi, who were recently dropped from the national body, upset China's Han Cheng Kai-Zhou Hao Dong with the same scoreline.