PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Lee Zii Jia is likely to break into the world’s top 10 again soon in the men’s singles if his fine form of late is anything to go by.
World No. 11 Zii Jia reached the Denmark Open semi-finals after ousting Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto 21-18, 21-18 at the Jyske Bank Arena in Odense on Friday.
The 25-year-old, who captured his first title of the year at the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, last week, stayed calm during the crucial moments of the match to come away with the win over the world No. 14.
The independent player is on course to moving back into the top 10 in the rankings if he can maintain his good form.
Zii Jia had dropped out of the top 10 in June after a series of poor results.
In his post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Zii Jia attributed his win over Nishimoto to his growing confidence after winning the Arctic Open.
“After struggling so much in the beginning of the year, I managed to win my first title (this year) and this gave me more confidence,” said Zii Jia.
“Hopefully, I can maintain my form.”
Zii Jia also felt that having an extra day to rest gave him an advantage over Nishimoto.
The former did not have to play in the second round a day earlier after world No. 1 and home favourite Viktor Axelsen conceded a walkover due to a leg injury.
“I knew it will not be easy to play here against the top players so fast as I had only finished playing in Finland on Sunday,” said Zii Jia.
“So, honestly, it was an advantage for me to have a day’s rest.”
Zii Jia, who finished runner-up last year in Denmark, will next face Hong Kong’s world No. 18 Lee Cheuk Yiu for a place in his second consecutive final.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final will be between China’s defending champion Shi Yuqi and his compatriot Weng Hongyang.
In the men’s doubles, it was contrasting fortunes for Malaysia’s Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi when the former made it into the last four but the latter bowed out.
World No. 4 Aaron-Wooi Yik fought hard to beat China’s scratch pair He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu 24-22, 18-21, 21-12 in a thrilling last-eight clash.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who also reached the semi-finals in the tournament last year, will seek to go one better when they take on home favourites and world No. 6 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.
The in-form Danes, who have yet to lose a match since the Hong Kong Open last month, prevented an all-Malaysian semi-final after defeating Yew Sin-Ee Yi 21-19, 11-21, 21-14.
