FROM being a nobody at the previous edition three years ago, Lee Zii Jia is now a favourite for the Malaysia Open crown.
Yesterday, the 24-year-old world No 5 checked into the second round of the Super 750 event, following a convincing 21-15, 21-11 win over Ireland's Nhat Nguyen.
Zii Jia, who has been in sensational form since turning professional in January, admitted he is no longer the same player he was before.
"I am definitely more mature and calm. I can now handle any kind of pressure.
"Playing in front of a packed stadium like today (yesterday), I can manage," said Zii Jia, who did not only inspire Malaysia to a historic Asia Team Championships title in February but also went on to win two individual titles on the trot (Asian Championships and Thailand Open) last month.
On whether his first-round match was a stroll in the park, the in-form shuttler added: "It was a normal match for me. I still need to work on some points before the next one.
"From the last time I played here (2019), the draught definitely feels new to me.
"The crowd support, however, is superb. It feels very good."
Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for world No 48 Ng Tze Yong, who went down fighting 21-16, 23-21, 21-18 to world No 25 Lu Guang Zu of China.
Tze Yong, who will replace Zii Jia at next month's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, believes he did well enough to stretch his opponent to a decider but just couldn't make it count at the crucial point.
"I did everything I could and went all out.
"But at 18-18 in the decider, I should have shifted the pace of the game, that made all the difference," said Tze Yong.
Former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei was the last Malaysian to win a title at the Malaysia Open (2018). The tournament was suspended for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.