Jakarta: Malaysia’s world no. 10, Lee Zii Jia, staged a comeback against India’s world no. 25 Kidambi Srikanth, winning 19-21, 21-14, 21-11 and securing a spot in the round of 16 at the 2024 Indonesia Masters.
Highlights of Lee Zii Jia vs. Kidambi Srikanth in the 2024 India Open first round:
Lee Zii Jia had a first-round exit in the Malaysia Open two weeks ago, but he showed improvement in the India Open last week, reaching the quarterfinals. This week, he is expected to go even further in the Indonesia Masters.
In the match against Srikanth, Lee Zii Jia started a bit slow, struggling to withstand Srikanth’s fierce attacks, allowing Srikanth to take the first game 21-19.
Nevertheless, Lee Zii Jia unleashed his full power in the second game. Trailing 2-4, he produced a stunning 9-0 attacking streak to take control of the match, ultimately winning the second game 21-14. In the decisive third game, Srikanth’s stamina quickly declined, and after reaching a 6-6 tie, he couldn’t keep up with Lee’s pace. Lee Zii Jia secured victory with a score of 21-11 in the final game.
Lee Zii Jia will compete against Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long for a spot in the quarterfinals. Ng Ka Long narrowly defeated Danish youngster Magnus Johannesen with scores of 21-17, 24-22. Magnus Johannesen replaced the withdrawn Indian Open champion, Shi Yuqi.
Lee Zii Jia and Ng Ka Long have faced each other six times, with a record of 2 wins and 4 losses. Their last encounter was at the Asian Games in September last year, where Lee emerged victorious. However, in the first round of the Korea Open last year, Lee Zii Jia lost to Ng Ka Long, sparking discussions, especially as both players used to be under the guidance of coaches Wong Tat Meng and Wong Choong Hann, who had now switched sides.
Now, facing each other for the first time this year at the Indonesia Masters, it is expected to be another intriguing matchup, especially after Wong Choong Hann had led Hong Kong’s other men’s singles player, Lee Cheuk Yiu, to the runner-up position in the Indian Open last week.
Another Malaysian men’s singles player, Leong Jun Hao, also put up a strong showing to down world no. 11 Kenta Nishimoto of Japan 21-17, 21-17. Leong will take on world no. 4 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia on Thursday.
