Lee Zii Jia Loses Out To Indonesia's World No 26 Player In Malaysia Open
The world number five player was defeated in an hour-long match with the scores of 21-19, 19-21, and 21-16.
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Malaysia's number 1 shuttler Lee Zii Jia was defeated by Indonesia's Shesar Hiren Rhustavito in the Malaysia Open yesterday, 30 June, crushing his aspiration to win the title in his home country
According to New Straits Times, the world number five and number 26 players crashed in a match that lasted more than an hour on Thursday.
Lee was given an early warning when he lost the first game with a score of 21-19.
The 24-year-old player swung back into victory in the second game with a score of 19-21, but sadly lost to the 28-year-old unseeded player in the third game with a score of 16-21.
The English daily reported that it was the fourth time Lee was defeated by Shesar out of their eight meetings.
Shesar defeated Lee at the 2019 Taiwan Open but lost to him at the Asian championship and Thailand Open this year, reported Bernama.
Image via Asyraf Hamzah/New Straits Times
"There is no regret, there will always be a loser and a winner," a disappointed Lee told reporters after the match
"I know where I stand, and it's important for me to maintain my condition to play at the highest level," New Straits Times quoted him as saying.
Last week, Lee announced that he will be skipping the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, happening between 28 July and 8 August, to focus on the World Championships, which begins on 21 August.
Shesar will be facing world number two Kento Momota of Japan in the last eight today, 1 July.
"I don't think Zii Jia was under par. I knew it would be tough to play the crowd favourite, especially on his home soil," he said following the match yesterday.
"However, the difference today was Zii Jia made some mistakes at crucial moments, and I kept my nerve."
Meanwhile, national men's doubles pair Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi defeated Taiwan's Olympic champions Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin
Free Malaysia Today reported that Malaysia's duo prevailed against the world number four pair with scores of 21-17 and 21-18 in a 41-minute match.
Ong and Teo will be facing sixth seeds Fajar Alfian and Rian Ardianto of Indonesia in the second round at the Axiata Arena today.
Ong Yew Sin (left) and Teo Ee Yi at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday, 30 June.
Image via Free Malaysia Today
Lee had his ups and downs over the past few months:
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