March 16, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – Independent men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia reached the second round of the All-England after beating Thailand’s world No. 33 Sitthikom Thammasin 21-12, 21-15 at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham today (March 15).
It was a good start for world No. 4 and 2021 winner Zii Jia, who is trying to rediscover his best form after crashing out in the early rounds of all his individual tournaments so far this year (Malaysian Open, Indian Open, Indonesian Masters and German Open).
Zii Jia will likely face Japan’s world No. 15 Kenta Nishimito next for a place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, it was disappointment for men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who suffered a shock 18-21, 21-14, 13-21 defeat at the hands of Indonesia’s in-form world No. 11 Leo Rolly-Daniel Marthin.
It was world No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik’s second consecutive loss in the early rounds of tournaments after also suffering the same fate in the German Open a week ago.
It was also the first time that the Malaysian duo had lost to the Indonesians after five meetings.