PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Lee Zii Jia will return to competition at the Australian Open, starting on Tuesday (June 9) in Sydney, as the Paris Olympics bronze medallist looks to build momentum ahead of the second half of the season.
The 2024 champion, however, will have to come through the qualifying rounds after being drawn against Japan's Shogo Ogawa.
If he clears the first hurdle, Zii Jia will face either Australia's Edward Lau or Japan's Riki Takei for a place in the main draw.
Also competing in the qualifiers are Eogene Ewe, who will take on American Mark Alcala, and Lim Ming Hong, who has been drawn against another American, Garret Tan.
Justin Hoh is the only Malaysian men's singles player who will start from the main draw and will open his campaign against India's Kiran George.
After the Australian Open, Zii Jia will continue his campaign at the Macau Open from June 16-21 before heading to the United States Open in California from June 23-28.
He will then wrap up the four tournament stretch at the Canada Open in Markham from June 30-July 5.
