Badminton

Set for a smashing run

LEE Zii Jia has received a big boost in his bid to win the Malaysia Open for the first time at the Axiata Arena from June 28-July 3.

Based on the draw released on Tuesday, the 24-year-old should fancy his chances of reaching the final after being placed in a different half from world No 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.

The fifth-seeded Zii Jia is slotted in the bottom half of the draw together with world No 2 Kento Momota of Japan and No 3 Anders Antonsen of Denmark and Thomas Cup winner Lakhsya Sen of India.

While it appears daunting on paper, world No 5 Zii Jia's recent form suggests he is more than capable of overcoming these rivals.

After all, Zii Jia has outclassed Momota and Lakhsya at last month's Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok, while Antonsen hasn't been playing anywhere near his best with just one quarter-final outing to show from three World Tour starts.

Still, Zii Jia needs to tread with caution as Sea Games champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand is also in the same half.

Zii Jia should ease past France's Toma Junior Popov in the opener to set up a last 16 meeting with Rasmus Gemke of Denmark or Indonesia's Shesar Hiren Rhustavito.

Zii Jia, who is making his second Malaysia Open appearance, will be eager to make amends after failing miserably in his debut in 2019 where he fell in the very first round, losing 21-17, 19-21, 21-15 to Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon.

Zii Jia and the others in the 32-player field, including 2018 runner-up Momota, seek to become the new champion of the Malaysian Open which returns after a two-year absence due to Covid-19.

World No 28 Liew Daren will be counting on cheers from the home fans when he faces India's Thomas Cup winner H.S. Prannoy in the opening hurdle. If he goes through, the 34-year veteran will probably face Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen next.

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