KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — Independent men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia finally ended his first-round jinx that lasted for almost two months by cruising into the second round of the Australia Open badminton championships today.
The world number 17, however, had to bounce back from a set down to beat compatriot and world number 51 Leong Jun Hao 12 – 21, 21 – 17, 21 – 16, after a hard battle that lasted for 64 minutes at the State Sports Centre in Sydney.
In the second round tomorrow, the 25-year-old is scheduled to take on Mithun Manjunath of India, who stunned former world champion from Singapore Loh Kean Yew 21 – 19, 21 – 19.
This is the first time Lee could clear his first-round obstacle since his second-round exit at the Malaysia Masters in May. He has since then faced first-round eliminations in four consecutive tournaments, the Singapore Open, the Indonesia Open, the Korea Open, and the Japan Open.
His best achievement in the World Tour this year was reaching the semi-finals of the All England and Swiss Open, from 11 tournaments he played.
Meanwhile, mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie – Toh Ee Wei also advanced after ousting Lee Jae Sun from South Korea and Australian Charis Ho 21 – 10, 21 – 4.
The eighth seeds would be challenged by Rinov Rivaldy – Pitha Haningtyas of Indonesia in the hunt for a quarter-final spot tomorrow.
Another mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron – Teoh Mei Xing are set to face an uphill task against third seeds Seo Seung Jae – Chae Yu Jung of South Korea in the second round.
The world number 37 had earlier stunned Singaporean couple Terry Hee Yong Kai – Jessica Tan Wei Han in the straight sets 21 – 15, 21 – 17.
— Bernama
