PETALING JAYA: While a first-round win is familiar to many, it has been a long wait for Lee Zii Jia (pic).
The Paris Olympics bronze medallist had to wait 10 months before finally ending his first-round curse at the Indonesian Masters yesterday.
Zii Jia’s 21-19, 21-11 victory over India’s world No. 35, H.S. Prannoy, in 35 minutes at Istora Senayan was exactly what he needed to rebuild his confidence after a challenging season last year.
Last year, he only managed to compete in five tournaments as he struggled with ankle and later back injuries. The 26-year-old reached the quarter-finals of the Orleans Masters in March, but his next four tournaments—the All-England, World Championships, Hong Kong Open, and China Masters—all ended in disappointment with first-round exits.
“Always great to get that W (win), 321 days since the last one. The journey continues at the Indonesian Masters 2026,” Team LZJ shared on social media following his win.
He will need that confidence as he faces Thailand’s Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul in the second round today.
Zii Jia will have to stay alert against Panitchaphon, who caused an upset by eliminating last year’s All-England runner-up, Lee Chia Hao, ranked No. 19 in the world, 21-10, 21-18 in the first round yesterday.
Also vying for a quarter-final spot today are mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, who will take on Thailand’s Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai.
The Malaysian pair came close to an early exit yesterday but overcame China’s Zhu Yijun-Li Qian 21-19, 20-22, 21-10.
Meanwhile, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, riding high on confidence, face a tough challenge against the tournament’s fifth seeds from China, Guo Xinwa-Chen Fanghui.
The world No. 20 pair reached this stage after defeating Thailand’s Phuwanat Horbanluekit-Benyapa Aimsaard 13-21, 21-6, 21-17.
