Lee Zii Jia suffered another disappointing early exit as the Malaysian star was knocked out in the second round of the Vietnam Open in Ho Chi Minh City.
The world No. 58 was beaten by Taiwan’s world No. 88 Wu Zhe Ying, who produced a strong performance to secure a 21-8, 13-21, 21-14 victory in 47 minutes.
Zii Jia struggled to find his rhythm in the opening game as Wu quickly took control. The Malaysian responded in the second, levelling the match, but the Taiwanese shuttler regained the upper hand in the decider to complete a surprise victory.
The defeat adds to a difficult run for Zii Jia, who has struggled to find consistency in recent months. With the Vietnam Open offering an opportunity to build confidence against a lower-ranked field, his early departure will be another setback as he looks to regain his best form.
There was better news for Malaysia in the women’s singles, with Goh Jin Wei and Siti Zulaikha Azmi both securing their places in the last 16.
World No. 54 Goh made a confident start by beating Taiwan’s Liao Jui Chi 21-16, 21-14. She will next face India’s Isharani Baruah for a place in the quarter-finals.
Siti Zulaikha, ranked 95th in the world, also battled through a three-game contest against Hong Kong’s Ling Ka Wing. The Malaysian recovered from losing the opening game 12-21 to win the next two 21-14, 21-13 and seal her spot in the last 16.
However, former SEA Games champion S. Kisona was unable to complete her match after retiring while trailing Thailand’s Passa-orn Pannachet due to injury.
Malaysia will also be guaranteed a place in the men’s doubles quarter-finals after two local pairs were drawn against each other in the last 16.
BAM representatives Choong Hon Jian and Wong Vin Sean, ranked No. 91 in the world, fought back to beat Taiwan’s Chang Ko Chi and Chen Sheng Fa 18-21, 21-15, 21-17.
They will meet independent pair Li Yi Bo and Lim Tze Jian, who booked their place in the next round with a 21-19, 21-17 win over Taiwan’s Cheng Yu Yen and Yu Min Hao.
The all-Malaysian clash means one of the two pairs will advance to the quarter-finals, giving Malaysia another strong chance of progressing further in the men’s doubles.
