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NEW DELHI – Malaysia’s professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia is pleased as punch after his 20-22, 21-19, 21-12 first-round win over Indonesia’s Shesar Hiren Rhustavito in the India Open here yesterday.
Zii Jia deserves praise for fighting back from a first-game setback to win the 63-minute battle at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall.
It was a performance that even he was thrilled about, especially after his shocking first-round exit at the recent Malaysia Open.
“I am trying to get back my form as soon as possible,” said the 25-year-old Zii Jia, who also described the fan support here as “amazing”.
Meanwhile, national independent men’s doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi had no problems disposing of Japan’s Akira Koga-Taichi Saito 21-15, 21-15 in 39 minutes.
The Malaysian pair will meet either Frenchmen Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov or Thais Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren in the second round today.
National women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah followed in the footsteps of Zii Jia when they too made amends for crashing out in the first round of the Malaysia Open by downing India’s Ashwini Bhat-Shikha Gautam 21-8, 21-11.
“We just want to regain our momentum and rhythm,” said Pearly.
Meanwhile, there was no such luck for Ng Tze Yong when he lost 19-21, 14-21 to China’s Li Shi Feng in their men’s singles first round.
In the all-Malaysian mixed doubles first-round clash, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei defeated Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing 21-17, 12-21, 21-19. – Bernama, January 19, 2023