Lee Zii Jia Reaches Thailand Open Final

0
3679
Lee Zii Jia is one match away from winning the 2024 Thailand Open. (Photo: Shi Tang/Getty Images)
Lee Zii Jia is one match away from winning the 2024 Thailand Open. (Photo: Shi Tang/Getty Images)

Bangkok: The World No. 10 Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia, broke through to his first final of the season by defeating Taiwanese ace and World No. 14 Chou Tien Chen 18-21, 21-12, 21-13 in the semifinals of the Thailand Open on Saturday.

Highlights of Lee Zii Jia vs. Chou Tien Chen in the 2024 Thailand Open semifinals:

Entering as the sixth seed, Lee Zii Jia bounced back from an 18-21 loss in the first set by winning the second set 21-12, forcing the match into a deciding set at Nimibutr Stadium.

Lee overpowered his opponent 21-13 in the third set to secure his place in the final, where he is scheduled to face Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long. Ng was made to work hard by reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, before winning 21-14, 18-21, 21-19 in a match lasting 1 hour and 18 minutes.

The upcoming clash between Lee Zii Jia and Angus Ng Ka Long in Sunday’s final will be their eighth encounter, with the previous record favoring the Hong Kong player at 4-3.

The last meeting between the two players was in the second round of the Indonesia Masters in January, where Lee Zii Jia triumphed over Angus Ng Ka Long with a score of 22-20, 21-15.

Notably, the last time Lee Zii Jia reached a final was at the Denmark Open last October, before losing to Weng Hong Yang of China 12-21, 6-21.

In the men’s doubles final, the No. 1 seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty of India will take on Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi of China.

Meanwhile, the hosts, Thailand have representatives in the women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles finals.

Supanida Katethong will play Han Yue of China in women’s singles final, women’s doubles No. 1 seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai to meet Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi of Indonesia while Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai will square off against Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui of China in mixed doubles final.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here