Zii Jia to face Japan’s No 2 Kenta in Thomas Cup quarter-finals

CHENGDU: Japan have sprung a surprise by choosing to field Kenta Nishimoto instead of Kodai Naraoka against Lee Zii Jia in the first singles in the Thomas Cup Finals last eight tie against Malaysia on Thursday (May 2).

World No. 10 Zii Jia was expected to take on Japan’s No. 1 and world No. 5 Naraoka but instead will face No. 2 Nishimoto (world No. 11) in the crucial opening match.