KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia is undoubtedly enjoying the best form of his season.
Following his victory in the Arctic Open last week, many are convinced that the former All England champion has returned to his winning ways.
"I believe the old Zii Jia is back," said former world No. 1 Roslin Hashim, attributing the sudden resurgence of the 25-year-old to the hard work put in by his coach, Wong Tat Meng, and the improvement in the shuttler's mental well-being.
Zii Jia, who narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the Hangzhou Asian Games earlier this month, reached the semi-finals of the Denmark Open on Friday following a 21-18, 21-18 win over Japan's Kenta Nishimoto in the last eight.
The world No 11 Malaysian played Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu in a late semi-final match today.
"Zii Jia is looking very relaxed, and that's what he needs.
"Since narrowly missing a medal at the Asian Games, I see a different player in Zii Jia.
"He delivered an outstanding performance at the Arctic Open last week, and now again at the Denmark Open," said Roslin who also sits on the BA of Malaysia technical advisory panel.
On what else Zii Jia needs to break into the top 10 and qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Roslin added: "I think all of us can see the difference in Zii Jia's game.
"To me, this transformation is the result of Tat Meng's influence.
It is best for Zii Jia to follow Tat Meng's programme closely.
"As a player, Zii Jia must choose his battles wisely. Pressure on court is normal.
"It's more of the external pressure which he needs to avoid."
Zii Jia, having reached the final last year, must secure victory in Odense to break into the world's top 10 rankings next week.
The other semi-final match was an all-China affair between defending champion Shi Yuqi and Weng Hong Yang.
The other Malaysian shuttlers involved in a late semi-final match were former men's doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
The Asian Games bronze medallists played Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.