Run to the semis puts Zii Jia in a positive mind frame

Rare charge: Lee Zii Jia reached the semi-final stage for only the second time since April.

PETALING JAYA: Independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia gave another fighting display but could not get past China’s Weng Hongyang in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in Sydney yesterday.

Hongyang, 24, did not have it easy as Zii Jia showed glimpses of brilliance which established him as a top five player last year before winning 21-19, 13-21, 21-13 in 81 minutes.