Zii Jia clears first hurdle at Asia Championships

 

Lee Zii Jia, who is the eighth seed in the Badminton Asia Championships, beat India’s Priyanshu Rajawat in straight games in his first round match. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Professional men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia breezed into the second round of the 2024 Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Ningbo, China, today.

The 2022 BAC champion started on the right footing when he easily defeated India’s Priyanshu Rajawat 21-9, 21-13 in the opening round at the Ningbo Olympics Sports Centre gymnasium.

The eighth-seeded Zii Jia will meet Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen in the next round. Tien Chen also had an easy passage into the second round when China’s Weng Hong Yang retired after losing 16-21 in the first game.

Zii Jia has won only three of his eight previous encounters with the world number 15.

Zii Jia won the 2022 BAC title in Manila after beating Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie 21-17, 23-21 in the final.

National professional women’s pair Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien were sent packing early when they went down to South Korea’s Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong 11-21, 10-21.

Other Malaysian representatives are scheduled to play their matches later today. - FMT