Players to watch: Lee Zii Jia and Viktor Axelsen (left) are among the top names confirmed for the Syed Modi Indian International tournament.
PETALING JAYA: This year’s Syed Modi Indian International is shaping up to be an exciting affair, especially in the men’s singles, with former Asian champion Lee Zii Jia and two-time world champion Viktor Axelsen set to compete for the first time at the event from Nov 25–30.
According to the main and qualifying list released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Oct 24, both Zii Jia and Axelsen are among the top names confirmed for the tournament.
It will be Zii Jia’s second tournament after the Australian Open (Nov 18–23), as the 27-year-old continues his recovery from a lower back injury sustained earlier this month.
Three weeks ago, Zii Jia announced that he would skip the European tour, which includes the Denmark Open, French Open and Hylo Open in Germany, as he is undergoing an extended rehabilitation programme for persistent lower back pain.
The decision came after his early exit in the China Masters first round earlier this month.
Earlier this year, Zii Jia missed five months of competition after suffering an ankle injury during the World Tour Finals last December. He only returned to action at the Orleans Masters and All-England in March.
He later featured in the World Championships in France in August, followed by outings at the Hong Kong Open and China Masters, before being sidelined again due to injury.
As for Axelsen, the Syed Modi meet will serve as part of his effort to regain top form after admitting he was not in the best condition to compete at this week’s Hylo Open.
“I, unfortunately, won’t be able to compete at the Hylo Open this week – a tournament I had been looking forward to. But my body is simply not in a good enough state to compete after the last two weeks of competition. I’ll see you back on court in Kumamoto and Australia,” said Axelsen.
Besides Zii Jia, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and Jacky Kok will also represent Malaysia in the men’s singles.
