Lee Zii Jia
PETALING JAYA: Men singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia got off to a blistering start in the World Tour Finals with a straight-game win against Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan.
Playing in his first Group B match, Zii Jia defeated the old-timer 21-13, 21-15 in just 39 minutes in Hangzhou, China, on Wednesday (Dec 11).
With the win, Zii Jia has gone ahead 6-5 in his head-to-head record against Tien-chen.
The Malaysian will play Anders Antonsen of Denmark next to seal a place in the semi-finals.
"I was disappointed to miss the last two Finals but I'm here and trying to achieve something," said Zii Jia, who last competed at the 2021 edition.
"I've played Chou 10 times, so we know each other's game well. The key is self preparation and I did well today.
On his match against Antonsen, Zii Jia said: "I have beaten him in the last two meetings but he has done quite well after the Olympic Games. He is quite consistent as well.
"It's going to be a tough game."
On the presence of his parents in China, Zii Jia said: "They are here to throw their support and bring the positive energy for me."
