Let’s go: Lee Zii Jia last met Viktor Axelsen at the Indonesian Masters last year, where the Malaysian lost. — AFP
PETALING JAYA: A mouth-watering clash between Lee Zii Jia and Viktor Axelsen will be the highlight as Malaysia clash with Denmark in the quarter-finals of the Sudirman Cup today.
In the draw conducted yesterday, Malaysia received an easier path to the semi-finals after they were drawn against Denmark in Suzhou, China.
Denmark finished as the runners-up after losing 0-5 to top seeds China in the final Group A tie yesterday.
If Malaysia win, they will take on the winners of the tie between second seeds South Korea and Taiwan.
In the top half, top seeds and favourites China will play Indonesia. If they go through, they will take on either Thailand or Japan.
Although relieved with the draw, skipper Tan Kian Meng has warned his teammates to be cautious.
“It looks good on paper, but we must stay focused. We should not put undue pressure on ourselves.” said Kian Meng.
Axelsen did not play in the tie against China yesterday, so he will be fresh to face a fired-up Zii Jia today.
“It will be an interesting match for all and definitely an important point for us to secure,” said national singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann.
Zii Jia has only won twice in their last seven meetings and in their last encounter at the Indonesian Masters last year, the Malaysian went down 21-19, 11-21, 21-23.
Malaysia will also have an equal chance in all other events.
World champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik or even Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi will have a fighting chance against Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen but the Malaysians could also mess up if they put too much pressure on themselves against the fast-attacking Danes.
A rejuvenated Goh Jin Wei can give Line Christophersen a run for her money while Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah have a good chance to overcome Maiken Fruergaard-Sara Thygesen.
In the mixed doubles, the chances are equal.
Malaysia have the options of using the experienced hands of Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie or take a bold move to field youngsters Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei to challenge world No. 18 Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje.
Kian Meng believes the unity in team will carry them through.
“Everyone in the team is doing great, I believe team unity is the key,” said the independent Kian Meng, who forms the mixed doubles partnership with Lai Pei Jing.
“We just hope to ride on this momentum.”
Malaysia have done well to reach the quarter-finals by beating Australia 5-0, India 5-0, and Taiwan 4-1.
Malaysia have only reached the semi-finals of the Sudirman Cup twice since the tournament’s inception in 1989 – in 2009 and 2021.
