KUALA LUMPUR – Lee Zii Jia continued his progress in the Australian Open, coming back from a set down to beat Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in the quarter-finals, today.
The world number eight Malaysia took 67 minutes to overcome seventh seed Nishimoto 16-21, 21-12, 21-12 at the Quaycentre, Sydney.
Zii Jia, who has now reached his third semi-final in four tournaments since the Thailand Open last month, will next face world number 37 Lee Chia-hao of Taiwan. Zii Jia has only won twice in their five encounters.
Meanwhile, mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing also advanced to the semi-finals after defeating compatriots Choong Hon Jian-Go Pei Kee, 21-15, 23-21.
The fifth seeds are set to face an uphill task against world number fives and top seeds, Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin of China.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing lost all three of their previous matches against the 2023 World Championships bronze medallists, including at last week’s Indonesia Open semi-finals.
It was double joy for the 31-year-old Pei Jing, who also reached the women’s doubles semi-finals.
Pei Jing and her partner Lim Chiew Sien beat Polina Buhrova-Yevheniia Kantemyr of Ukraine 21-17, 21-19 to set up a clash against Yeung Nga-ting-Yeung Pui-lam of Hong Kong.
In the men’s doubles, third seeds Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri are the sole Malaysian representatives to reach the semi-finals after two other pairs crashed out.
The reigning Orleans Masters champions defeated Rizky Hidayat-Frengky Wijaya Putra of Australia 21-16, 18-21, 21-12 to challenge top seeds He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu of China, who ousted Malaysia’s Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai 21-14, 21-12 in a 27-minute match.
The country’s young men’s doubles pair of Wan Muhammad Arif Shaharuddin Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King were stunned by Taiwan’s Chen Zhi-ray-Lin Yu-chieh, losing 14-21, 17-21 in another quarter-final. – June 14, 2024
