Zii Jia to play in Australia Open; Prannoy to lead India charge
Lee Zii Jia will play in the Australia Open, even as HS Prannoy will lead India’s charge in Sydney starting on Tuesday.
Visit M88Badminton.com for more badminton news and updates.
ZII JIA TO PLAY IN AUSTRALIA OPEN BEFORE PARIS OLYMPICS
World No.7 Zii Jia is scheduled to travel to Sydney and use the Australia Open.
Zii Jia will use this tournament as a final preparation before the Paris Olympics.
Interestingly, Malaysia’s top male singles shuttler is coming off a stint in the Indonesia Open.
Zii Jia reached the quarterfinals in Jakarta, where he lost to Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand.
However, several withdrawals of top players may boost the 26-year-old’s chances to win in Sydney.
PRANNOY TO LEAD INDIA CHARGE IN AUSTRALIA OPEN
Fifth seed Prannoy will lead India’s charge in Sydney, with several withdrawals also benefitting him.
Like Zii Jia, Prannoy’s stock is expected to rise as world No.1 Viktor Axelsen, world No.2 Shi Yu Qi of China, and world No.3 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia skip the tournament.
Prannoy is coming off a first-round loss at the Thailand Open and a round-of-16 stint at the Singapore Open.
The world No.10 is determined to bounce back as he opens his campaign against Ygor Coelho of Brazil in Sydney.
Another Indian male shuttler, Sameer Verma, will begin his Australia Open title bid against Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo of Indonesia.
BAM OFFICIAL HOPES WEI CHONG-TEE KAI TANDEM TO SUSTAIN FORM
Meanwhile, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky is positive Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun will sustain their deadly form after an impressive stint at the Indonesia Open last week.
Rexy lauded the Wei Chong-Kai Wun tandem for reaching the men’s doubles final in Jakarta.
In the final, they lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.
“Their performance during the Malaysia Masters and Singapore Open was just average but they were very consistent at the Indonesia Open,” the BAM official said.
“They, however, have to take the opportunities that come their way to be able to overcome their opponents,” he added.
A Malaysian pair last won the Indonesian Open men’s doubles title in 2008 after Zakry Abdul Latif and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari did the feat.
You may also like
BAM to mirror China’s ‘pack mentality’ in European legs October 1, 2024
