BASEL – Malaysian badminton star Lee Zii Jia successfully navigated the qualifying rounds of the Swiss Open after overcoming a challenging test against Denmark’s Ditlev Jaeger Holm. The result marks an encouraging return to competition for the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist.
In the latest badminton news from Basel, Lee fought back to defeat world No.61 Jaeger Holm 21-17, 19-21, 21-16 in the second round of qualifying to secure a place in the tournament’s main draw.
Lee Zii Jia Forced to Work Hard for Victory
The Malaysian professional men’s singles player started the match confidently, taking the opening game 21-17 after controlling the pace of the rallies.
However, Jaeger Holm responded strongly in the second game. The Danish player kept the score tight throughout and eventually edged the set 21-19 to force a deciding game.
With the match hanging in the balance, Lee regained his composure in the third game. Displaying sharper movement and better shot selection, he gradually took control of the rallies before sealing the victory 21-16.
The intense three-game battle lasted 59 minutes and confirmed Lee’s progression into the main draw of the Swiss Open badminton tournament.
Next Challenge: Jason Teh
Lee will now face Singapore’s Jason Teh, currently ranked world No.33, in the first round of the main draw.
The match is expected to be a competitive encounter as both players look to build momentum in the BWF World Tour event.
Strong Start in Qualifying
Earlier in the qualifying stage, Lee opened his first campaign with a convincing straight-games victory over Japan’s Minoru Koga, winning 21-14, 21-10.
The performance provided a positive sign for the Malaysian star as he continues his comeback after recent injury setbacks.
Return to Competition After Injury
The Swiss Open marks Lee’s first competitive appearance since reaching the quarter-finals of the Thailand Masters in January.
During that tournament, Lee was forced to retire midway through his match against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan due to injury.
He later withdrew from the German Open badminton tournament, despite initially being listed in the draw, as he focused on recovery.
Now back on court in Basel, Lee Zii Jia will be hoping to regain momentum and make a strong run at the Swiss Open as the international badminton season continues.
