KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 14 Lee Zii Jia advanced to the semi-finals of the Arctic Open after an unexpected turn in the match, when Leong Jun Hao had to retire because of an injury to his left foot.
World No. 38 Jun Hao gave Zii Jia a tough fight. However, in the decisive game, where Zii Jia was leading 11-7, an injury forced Jun Hao to concede the match.
The two former national teammates delivered an intense performance, with Zii Jia winning the first game 21-16, and Jun Hao responding in the second game with a 21-19 victory.
Zii Jia faces Denmark's Anders Antonsen in the last four today.
So far this year, Zii Jia has made it to three semi-finals: the All England, Swiss Open, and Australian Open.
He's on the hunt to reach his first final in 12 months, with his last appearance being at the Denmark Open.
As for the 24-year-old Jun Hao, the latest injury setback raises questions about his fitness once again.
The former Asian junior champion has been struggling to live up to his potential due to injuries that have hampered him since his promotion to the senior team in 2018.
In fact, Jun Hao made a great start that year, reaching the final of the Thailand Masters and winning the Arctic Open, which was known as the Finnish Open and only an International Challenge-rated at that time.
In men's doubles, Taiwan Open winners Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun kept the Malaysia's challenge alive by reaching the semi-finals.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun upstaged last year's Asian champions Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan of Indonesia 22-20, 21-18 to edge closer to their second Super 500 final following the Malaysia Masters.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun will face Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard, who upset Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 16-21, 21-19, 21-14.
This will be the first encounter between the two pairs.