Zii Jia in Malaysia Masters quarters; Kian Meng-Pei Jing advance
Lee Zii Jia reached the Malaysia Masters Super 500 quarterfinals while doubles pair Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing also advanced on Thursday.
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ZII JIA IN MALAYSIA MASTERS QUARTERS AFTER OUSTING GEORGE
Zii Jia made it to the last eight after pulling off s 21-13, 21-18 victory over India’s Kiran George in a second-round match before a packed crowd at the Axiata Arena.
The No.5 seed finally got past the last 16 of a home tournament after four previous attempts that resulted with an early exit.
Zii Jia last went on a deep run in the Malaysia Masters was a semifinals appearance in 2020.
The win sets up Zii Jia against his friend and top seed Anders Antonsen of Denmark in a marquee matchup on Friday.
ZII JIA HOPES TO BE ‘PATIENT’ IN BEATING ANDERSEN
Zii Jia admitted beating Antonsen is a tough order, with the Danish shuttler winning the Malaysia Open in January.
“It won’t be easy to beat him (Antonsen), but I will bring my performance to the court and see what happens,” the 26-year-old said.
“We’re both professionals, we fight on the court and after that, we are friends again,” he added.
Antonsen advanced after posting a 21-12, 21-10 win over compatriot Magnus Johannesen.
“So on match day, you put the friendship aside and have a good fight on the court and then afterward, you can become friends again,” the world No.4 said.
KIAN MENG-PEI JING TOPS SOUTH KOREAN PAIR
Kian Meng and Pei Jing defeated Wang Chan and Shin Seung Chan, 15-21, 21-19, 21-19, to advance to the quarterfinals.
They will face top seed Chan Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, who beat B Sumeeth Reddy and N Sikki Reddy of India, 21-9, 21-15.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing hopes to put up a tougher stand against World No.9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei, to whom they lost in the race for a Paris Olympics slot.
“I hope they (Tang Jie-Ee Wei) will take this tournament as a good challenge because it will be psychologically tough and the pressure to deliver at the Olympics will be immense,” Kian Meng said.
“We will give them a good fight. If we don’t, it will be a disrespect to them and us too,” he added.
