Zii Jia makes early exit at Malaysian Open

KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia's journey at the Malaysian Open has come to an early end once again after he lost to China's Lu Guangzu at the Axiata Arena here on Tuesday (Jan 9).

Zii Jia took the first game 21-16 but the world No. 19 Chinese player put up a strong fight to win the second game 21-19 to force a rubber game.

Despite his best efforts, he failed to regain the lead in the final game, losing it 15-21.

In the men's doubles, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi came out on top against Lu Chingyao-Yang Pohan from Taiwan, winning 21-14, 21-15 in the opening round.

The 12th-seeded Malaysian pair will take on Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen for a chance at reaching the quarter-finals.

Mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Lai Shevon Jemie advanced to the second round after defeating England's Gregory Mairs-Jenny Mairs 16-21, 21-15, 17-21.

They will now face Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the second round.

The road unfortunately ended early for women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah as well after they lost to China's Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning 20-22, 15-21.

Mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing journey also ended after losing to South Korea's Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun 11-21, 16-21.

Men's doubles shuttlers Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun were handed a 12-21, 19-21 defeat at the hands of China's Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang.