KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — The country’s top men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia believes he has gained back his self-confidence at the 2023 All England badminton championships.
Despite losing in the semi-finals last night, the world’s number four professional player, the prestigious Super 1000 tournament proved to be his redemption after a series of inconsistent performances.
The 2021 All England champion said the tournament helped him to believe in himself again.
“I had a tough opening this year and I doubted myself a lot over being such a high-ranked player. I doubted if I was going to become a top player again.
“I think I have proved it in this tournament, and yeah it was the semis but I will take it step by step. I believe I will get better and better,” he told the tournament’s official website.
Last night Lee, 24, lost 19 – 21, 13 – 21 to Shi Yu Qi of China in the All England semi-finals at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham.
Shi will face compatriot Li Shi Feng, who ousted Denmark’s Anders Antonsen 21 – 11, 19 – 21, 21 – 18 last night, in the title decider today.
Lee is next scheduled to play in the Swiss Open and will face Shi Feng in the opening round.
He has endured a dismal campaign so far this year, having been knocked out in the first round of the season-opening Malaysia Open and the second round of three other tournaments – the India Open, Indonesia Masters and most recently the German Open.
Lee’s last title victory was the 2021 Thailand Open success, last May.
— Bernama
