DOES Lee Zii Jia have what it takes to defend his All England title in Birmingham this week?
If the world No 7's tame semi-final exit at the German Open on Saturday is anything to go by, it is set to be a tall order for him to become the first back-to-back men's singles winner since Lee Chong Wei in 2010 and 2011.
The 24-year-old had once again let slip of what appeared to be a glorious chance to add a third World Tour title to his name.
On paper, Kunlavut Vitidsarn seemed like an opponent Zii Jia would easily beat, but the Malaysian ended up losing 21-13, 21-12 to the 20-year-old Thai rising star.
Zii Jia could have taken advantage of a weary Kunlavut as the latter had just come through an energy-sapping quarter-final battle, which lasted for 94 minutes, against Japan's Kenta Nishimoto.
It was not the first time Zii Jia had lost to the world No 20.
The identical script also took place during the semi-finals of the World Tour Finals in Bali last December.
Could it be that Zii Jia might have taken the match lightly to conserve his energy for the All England?
"I watched the match, and I didn't suspect a lack of effort from Zii Jia," said Chong Wei.
"But I thought Kunlavut played very well and was a deserving winner. He was confident, calm and solid throughout the match.
"I believe all players would go all out to win a tournament, even if it is just a warm-up event ahead of bigger assignments."
Kunlavut took on India's Lakhsya Sen, who stunned world No 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 21-13, 12-21, 22-20, in a late final yesterday in Germany.