KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Zii Jia's hopes of making it a back-to-back victories have been handed a massive boost after being handed a walkover into the quarter-finals of the Denmark Open today by Viktor Axelsen.
The world No. 1's decision did not come as a surprise as he had hinted yesterday that he might withdraw from the second round due to lower leg and left foot injuries.
A well-rested Zii Jia will now take on either Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan or Japan's Kenta Nishimoto for a place in the semi-finals.
Axelsen is seen as Zii Jia's toughest hurdle this week, and the path to the final now looks clear.
Axelsen, the 2021 winner, could not hide his disappointment for not being able to contend for his second title in his hometown Odense.
"Of course, I'm really upset and frustrated that I can't play today," Axelsen told TV2 Danmark.
"I love playing in Odense and in front of the Danish audience, but it wouldn't be responcsible for me to play.
"Hopefully, I can quickly start my rehabilitation so I can be ready to play again."