Zii Jia’s experience and bravery make the difference in laboured win over Tze Yong

Hail the winner: Ng Tze Yong accepts his 21-17, 24-26, 19-21 defeat to Lee Zii Jia in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

PETALING JAYA: Independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia proved that he is still the country’s No. 1 men’s singles shuttler after storming into the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Despite his struggles, the world No. 17 Zii Jia rose to the occasion to narrowly triumph 17-21, 26-24, 21-19 over his much-improved former national teammate Ng Tze Yong in a grueling 83-minute quarter-final clash at Quaycentre in Sydney yesterday.