The mental edge: Japan’s Koki Watanabe last beat Lee Zii Jia at the China Open where he sent the Malaysian packing in the opening round last month. — AFP
PETALING JAYA: Professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia knows he has to be sharp as a razor when he takes on Koki Watanabe in the Arctic Open quarter-finals today.
Yesterday, Zii Jia defeated a lowly ranked Japanese Yushi Tanaka 21-11, 21-18 in 42 minutes at the Energia Arena in Vantaa, Finland. He struggled in the second game but fortunately, stayed focused to win against the world No. 30 player.
The defending champion cannot afford to have lapses against Watanabe, after losing to the latter twice.
Watanabe’s most recent win against Zii Jia came at the China Open where Zii Jia was sent packing in the opening round last month. Watanabe was in his element yesterday, as he blew away Lu Guangzu of China 21-11, 21-13.
Zii Jia was happy with his form.
“I think I played really well in the match, I’m quite happy with my performance,” said the world No. 4.
“It’s good to be back in the quarter-finals. I just have to prepare myself now for the next match.
“I think mentally and physically I’m doing quite good, so now it’s just about focusing on the recovery to make sure I’m as fresh as I can be.
“I’ve been here in Finland for the past three years straight, so far it has been lots of good memories here. I love the weather here as well.
Meanwhile, Malaysia have assured a place in the mixed doubles semi-finals as Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin will take on professionals Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie in the last eight today.
Pang Ron-Su Yin continued their stellar form when they caused an upset by defeating sixth seeds Yang Po-hsuan-Hu-Ling-fang of Taiwan 21-19, 21-12 while Soon Huat-Shevon fought brilliantly to beat Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran 22-20, 21-16.
Said Pang Ron: “Everything went according to our plan today. We had read their game and executed our strategy well, so we are quite happy.”
“I’ve played against Soon Huat-Shevon with other partners but this will be the first time together with Su Yin.
‘‘We’ve nothing to lose but will give them a good fight.”
Men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also booked their spot in the quarter-finals after taking 41 minutes to defeat Japan’s Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura 21-16, 21-16.
They will either face Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto or Danish duo Rasmus Espersen-Christian Faust Kjaer in the quarter-finals today.
Former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have a tricky second round match against England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vardy.
It’s however over for Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi who had lost 14-21, 16-21 to Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard of Denmark in the first round on Wednesday.
RESULTS
Second round
Men’s singles: Lee Zii Jia bt Yushi Tanaka (Jpn) 21-11, 21-18.
Men’s doubles: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani bt Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura (Jpn) 21-16, 21-16.
Mixed doubles: Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin bt Yang Po-hsuan-Hu-Ling-fang (Tpe) 21-19, 21-12; Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie bt Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran (Tha) 22-20, 21-16.
First round
Men’s doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bt Chen Boyang-Liu Yi (Chn) 21-18, 21-18; Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard (Den) bt Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 21-14, 21-16.
