Markham, Ontario: Lee Zii Jia’s encouraging run at the Canada Open came to an end in the men’s singles semifinals after a hard-fought three-game defeat to Japan’s Riki Takei.
The Malaysian independent player, ranked world No. 60, pushed Takei for 70 minutes before losing 13-21, 21-18, 18-21. The result ended Lee’s hopes of reaching the final, but his semifinal finish still marked his first BWF World Tour last-four appearance in two years.
Lee had shown better rhythm and confidence throughout the week in Markham, making this run an important step after several difficult tournaments. Although he could not finish the job against Takei, the performance offered signs that he is slowly rebuilding his game.
The result also leveled the head-to-head record between Lee and Takei at one win each.
Riki Takei to Face Yudai Okimoto in All-Japanese Final
Riki Takei will now face fellow Japanese player Yudai Okimoto in the men’s singles final.
Okimoto produced one of the biggest results of the semifinal stage by defeating Canada’s top seed Victor Lai 15-21, 21-16, 21-11. Lai had carried strong home expectations into the tournament, but Okimoto recovered well after losing the opening game and controlled the final two games to secure his place in the title match.
The all-Japanese final between Takei and Okimoto gives Japan a guaranteed men’s singles champion at the Canada Open.
Women’s Singles: Riko Gunji and Line Christophersen Reach Final
In women’s singles, Japan’s third seed Riko Gunji ended the run of Canada’s top seed Michelle Li with a convincing straight-game victory.
Gunji defeated Li 21-13, 21-17 to reach the final, denying the home favorite a shot at the title.
She will face Denmark’s second seed Line Christophersen, who advanced after United States fourth seed Beiwen Zhang retired during their semifinal. Christophersen was leading 21-15, 8-3 when Zhang was unable to continue.
- Riko Gunji (3), Japan, defeated Michelle Li (1), Canada, 21-13, 21-17
- Line Christophersen (2), Denmark, defeated Beiwen Zhang (4), United States, 21-15, 8-3 retired
- Final: Riko Gunji (3) vs Line Christophersen (2)
Men’s Doubles: Denmark and Japan Advance to Final
In men’s doubles, Denmark’s Christian Faust Kjaer and Rasmus Kjaer booked their place in the final after beating France’s Julien Maio and William Villeger in three games.
The Danish pair won 21-14, 10-21, 21-13, recovering strongly in the decider after dropping the second game.
They will face Japan’s Hiroki Okamura and Kyohei Yamashita, who came through another three-game semifinal against Takuto Goto and Tsubasa Yoshida.
Okamura and Yamashita won 21-16, 19-21, 21-19 to set up the final against the Danish pair.
- Christian Faust Kjaer / Rasmus Kjaer, Denmark, defeated Julien Maio / William Villeger, France, 21-14, 10-21, 21-13
- Hiroki Okamura / Kyohei Yamashita, Japan, defeated Takuto Goto / Tsubasa Yoshida, Japan, 21-16, 19-21, 21-19
- Final: Christian Faust Kjaer / Rasmus Kjaer vs Hiroki Okamura / Kyohei Yamashita
Women’s Doubles: Japan Secures Title Through All-Japanese Final
Japan also guaranteed the women’s doubles title after two Japanese pairs won their semifinal matches.
Fourth seeds Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita defeated United States sixth seeds Francesca Corbett and Jennie Gai 21-12, 21-12.
In the other semifinal, third seeds Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe beat United States second seeds Lauren Lam and Allison Quynh Lee 21-12, 21-16.
The final will now be an all-Japanese contest between Suzuki-Yamakita and Osawa-Tanabe.
- Hinata Suzuki / Nao Yamakita (4), Japan, defeated Francesca Corbett / Jennie Gai (6), United States, 21-12, 21-12
- Kaho Osawa / Mai Tanabe (3), Japan, defeated Lauren Lam / Allison Quynh Lee (2), United States, 21-12, 21-16
- Final: Hinata Suzuki / Nao Yamakita (4) vs Kaho Osawa / Mai Tanabe (3)
Mixed Doubles: Liu-Hsu and Koga-Saito Reach Final
In mixed doubles, Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin-Hui advanced to the final after defeating United States top seeds Presley Smith and Jennie Gai.
Liu and Hsu won 21-9, 23-21, taking control early before holding their nerve in a tighter second game.
They will face Japan’s fourth seeds Akira Koga and Natsu Saito, who survived a tense three-game semifinal against Scotland’s fifth seeds Alexander Dunn and Julie MacPherson.
Koga and Saito won 21-16, 12-21, 23-21 to complete the final lineup.
- Liu Kuang Heng / Hsu Yin-Hui, Chinese Taipei, defeated Presley Smith / Jennie Gai (1), United States, 21-9, 23-21
- Akira Koga / Natsu Saito (4), Japan, defeated Alexander Dunn / Julie MacPherson (5), Scotland, 21-16, 12-21, 23-21
- Final: Liu Kuang Heng / Hsu Yin-Hui vs Akira Koga / Natsu Saito (4)
Japan Dominates Canada Open Final Lineup
The Canada Open final day will have a strong Japanese presence across multiple categories.
Japan has already secured the men’s singles title through Riki Takei and Yudai Okimoto, while the women’s doubles final will also be an all-Japanese battle. Riko Gunji will try to add another title for Japan in women’s singles, and Akira Koga-Natsu Saito remain alive in mixed doubles.
For Lee Zii Jia, the semifinal loss will be disappointing, but the bigger picture is more positive. After a long period without a deep World Tour run, his performance in Canada gives Malaysian badminton fans something to build on.
His next challenge will be turning this semifinal appearance into sustained momentum on the badminton circuit.
