Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia in action against Japan's Kenta Nishimoto during the All England at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England. - AP
PETALING JAYA: Lee Zii Jia can afford to smile after reaching the All-England quarter-finals.
The world No. 4 disposed off world No. 15 Kenta Nishimoto of Japan 21-15, 21-10 in the men's singles second round in Birmingham to set-up a match against another Japanese Kodai Naraoka. He has lost to his younger opponent Naraoka in the Malaysian Open in January and will be hoping to exact revenge.
“The feel is getting better. Hopefully I can get better with every match,” said Zii Jia during the post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“Everyone knows the All England is a big tournament. I just want to get back my confidence, and I think I did pretty well.”
On Tuesday, after his first round, Zii Jia had admitted to facing a crisis of confidence, given the challenges he was going through, as he stated in the website.
“Being an independent player is a new challenge and it seems like it’s a tough challenge for me now,” he said.
“I have chosen it and I have to face it now.
“I’m trying my best to regain my confidence, to find what I’ve lost, which is character and confidence. What’s happening is tough, but life goes on. We have to move forward and I just can’t give up. Because I’m already here.
"Everybody told me it’s a process, just be patient. I just try to do what I have to do now," added the 2021 champion.
“I’ve always performed well at the All England. This is my fourth time here. I hope I can find myself on this court again.”
