File pix of Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in action in the second round of the Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil last year. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia has fallen in the Asian Championship quarter-finals after failing to get past All-England champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.
Zii Jia, who will be leading the Malaysian team at the Thomas Cup Finals, was no match for world No. 5 Jonatan as the Indonesian swiftly closed out the match in just 34 minutes, winning it 21-11, 21-6 at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre on Friday.
It was also a sweet revenge for Jonatan, having lost to Zii Jia in the final of the Asian meet in 2022.
The loss for the 2021 All-England champion Zii Jia means Jonatan equals their head-to-head record of five wins each, even though Zii Jia had won the past five fixtures.
After knocking out world No. 11 Zii Jia out of the tournament, Jonatan now sets himself up to meet China’s Shi Yuqi in the semi-finals next.
