Zii Jia and Aaron-Wooi Yik show nerves of steel to reach semis

Going all out: Aaron Chia (right) and Soh Wooi Yik in action against Indonesia’s Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan during the men’s doubles quarter-final match. — AP

PETALING JAYA: Independent singles ace Lee Zii Jia and men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik made superb comebacks to storm into the semi-finals of the Indonesia Open at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta.

Zii Jia and Aaron-Wooi Yik were hampered by food poisoning during the Indonesia Masters at the same venue last week where they lost in the quarter-final stage.

However, Zii Jia played with confidence and patience against world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore before prevailing 21-18, 16-21, 22-20 in a 65-minute clash. He also showed his class when he raced back from 16-18 and also saved a match point at 19-20 in the rubber game to sail into the last four.

With the win, Zii Jia has stretched his winning record against the Singaporean to 6-2.

“I’m happy about winning today (yesterday). Loh is getting his confidence back starting from the last tournament (Indonesia Masters) and I’m lucky to beat him,” said Zii Jia.

“We both have a similar style. Our strong point is attack. The last few points were more about focus and who made fewer unforced errors.

“After the match, I told Kean Yew it was very lucky for me. I want to continue with this confidence in the semi-finals tomorrow (today).”

Meanwhile, Aaron-Wooi Yik came back from the death after being 10-15 down and had to save three match points at 17-10 before securing a 14-21, 21-12, 22-20 win over Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan of Indonesia in the last-eight match that lasted 56 minutes.

It was sweet revenge for Aaron-Wooi Yik as the Indonesian pair had beaten them to win the Asian Championships in Manila last month.

Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for Malaysian pairs in the mixed doubles.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) pair Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei’s spirited run came to an end when they lost 16-21, 17-21 to Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu-jung of South Korea.

Their national teammates Chen Tangjie-Valerie Siow were beaten 12-21, 14-21 by China pair Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping.