Pumped-up Zii Jia bags Thai Open as timely boost ahead of home meet

PETALING JAYA: Victory at last for men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia as he claims his first title of the year at the Thailand Open.

The world No. 10 player made quick work of Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long in the final on Sunday to win 21-11, 21-10 in just 33 minutes in Bangkok.

The win is Zii Jia’s first tournament win for 2024 and second Thailand Open victory after claiming the 2022 edition title.

This was the eighth meeting between Zii Jia and Angus, with both players now having won four games each.

Angus paled in comparison to the form that saw him beating world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the semi-finals.

Zii Jia will now shift his focus on the Malaysian Masters starting on Tuesday at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. He faces China's Zhao Junpeng in the first round in a tournament that has attracted top seed and world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.