Zii Jia has Shifeng left to slay in bid for second straight title

PETALING JAYA: Can national No. 1 Lee Zii Jia win his first back-to-back title?

The signs are all there as the world No. 6 looks unstoppable at the Thailand Open.

Yesterday, Zii Jia overcame a spirited fightback from sparring partner Liew Daren in the second game to pull off a 21-16, 13-21, 21-14 win in 51 minutes at the Impact Arena in Bangkok.

Standing in his way is China’s Li Shifeng who had to come through a qualifying round en route to reaching his first Super 500-level tournament final.

The 49th ranked Chinese had to slog for 93 minutes in the other semi-final match to subdue Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-19, 16-21, 21-19.

Surprisingly, Shifeng has a better record, having beaten the Malaysian at the 2018 China Masters in their only meeting before.

Coach Indra Wijaya was pleased with Zii Jia who is in the form of his life.

He has been unbeaten since losing in the semi-finals of the All-England in March. He lifted the Asian title for the first time in Manila and did not drop a singles match in the recent Thomas Cup Finals.

“He has met all the expectations so far. We will prepare well for the final today,” said Indra.

Meanwhile, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik went down 19-21, 14-21 to Indonesians Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto in just 34 minutes in the semi-finals. It was also the end for top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah as they lost 17-21, 17-21 to Japan’s Nami Matsuyama- Chiharu Shida.