Zii Jia heads for short holiday to recharge for next year’s Malaysian Open

A shuttle too high: Lee Zii Jia returning a shot to Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto (inset) during their China Masters quarter-final match. The Malaysian world No. 11 lost 11-21, 12-21 to the world No. 13. — AFP

PETALING JAYA: Professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia’s inability to break through Kenta Nishimoto’s brick-like defence cost him dearly in the men’s singles quarter-finals of the China Masters.

World No. 11 Zii Jia fell to a disappointing 11-21, 12-21 defeat at the hands of world No. 13 Nishimoto at the Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium yesterday.