Lee Zii Jia
PETALING JAYA: Lee Zii Jia went one step better by reaching the men's singles quarter-finals in the Olympic Games for the first time at the Adidas Arena in Port de la Chapelle on Thursday.
The independent shuttler survived a late fightback from giantkiller Toma Junior Popov of France to secure a 21-13, 24-22 in the last 16 stage.
Zii Jia will face Denmark's Anders Antonsen next for a place in the semis.
Popov, who stunned 2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Anthony Ginting of Indonesia in the group stage to advance to the last 16, was spurred on by the local fans to continue his fairytale run but Zii Jia stood firm.
The Frenchman tried to stretch the match into the deciding game when he saved two match points at 18-20 but Zii Jia recovered to secure a 24-22 win.
Zii Jia said the home fans tried to rattle him.
“The fans were trying to disrupt my rhythm but I managed to calm myself down to secure this victory. It is a good improvement to progress into the quarter-finals," said Zii Jia.
Zii Jia lost to China's Chen Long in the last 16 at his first Olympics in 2021 Tokyo.
