JAKARTA: Malaysia’s professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia finally ended a long and testing winless spell after securing a confidence-boosting victory at the 2026 Indonesia Masters on Tuesday.
Competing at the iconic Istora Senayan, Lee defeated India’s HS Prannoy in straight games, 21-19, 21-11, in a first-round match that lasted 35 minutes to book his place in the second round.
Watch highlights from the match below:
The victory marked Lee’s first competitive win in nearly ten months, with his previous success coming at the quarter-final stage of the Orleans Masters in March last year.
Ranked 103rd in the world following a prolonged injury layoff, the former All England champion delivered a composed and aggressive performance, particularly in the second game, where he dictated rallies and limited Prannoy’s attacking options.
Lee endured a difficult 2025 season after ankle and back injuries forced him into extended rehabilitation and prompted him to seek ranking protection while rebuilding his fitness.
Speaking after the match, Lee admitted the win carried deep personal significance as he works to regain belief on court.
“It’s been more than a year since my last win, so this result means a lot to me,” Lee said in an interview with Shuttletimes. “It’s important because I’m trying to rebuild my confidence step by step.”
Lee also paid tribute to the unwavering support he has received from fans throughout his recovery.
“No matter what situation I’m in, they keep supporting me,” he said. “Sometimes when I’m out eating or just going about my day, fans come up and tell me, ‘No matter what happens, we’ll always support you.’ Those words really give me strength and motivation.”
Reflecting on the challenges of the past year, Lee acknowledged that the journey back has largely been a solitary one.
“Last year was full of unexpected challenges, and I had to go through many of them on my own,” he added. “That’s why I feel so fortunate to have such incredible fans. The only way I can repay them is with results on court.”
Lee will next face Thailand’s world number 44 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul in the second round on Wednesday, with a quarter-final berth at stake.
Watch Lee Zii Jia’s post-match interview below:
In mixed doubles, Malaysia’s top pair Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei were pushed to the limit before advancing to the second round.
The world number four duo battled past China’s Zhu Yi Jun–Li Qian in a tense three-game encounter, winning 21-19, 20-22, 21-10 in 56 minutes.
After narrowly taking the opening game, Tang Jie and Ee Wei missed the opportunity to close out the match in straight sets, surrendering a 20-16 lead in the second game before regrouping decisively in the decider.
They will next meet Thailand’s Pakkapon Teeraratsakul–Sapsiree Taerattanachai for a place in the quarter-finals.
Another Malaysian mixed doubles pair, Hoo Pang Ron–Cheng Su Yin, also progressed to the second round and are scheduled to face China’s Guo Xin Wa–Chen Fang Hui on Thursday.
With key Malaysian shuttlers showing signs of momentum in Jakarta, the Indonesia Masters could prove to be a timely platform for renewed confidence heading deeper into the 2026 season.
