Badminton: Lee Zii Jia Falls to Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in Quarterfinals
Injury-Plagued Comeback
Professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia was playing in his first tournament since suffering an ankle injury in December. The Malaysian badminton star failed to progress to the semi-finals of the Orleans Masters badminton championships in France, losing to Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in the quarterfinals last night.
Early Exit for Zii Jia
The match was played at the Palais des Sports, where Zii Jia, who was the top seed in the tournament, was sent packing by the unseeded shuttler 23-21, 21-7 in just 39 minutes. The loss was a disappointing one for Zii Jia, who was seeking to bounce back from his injury and regain his form.
Breakthrough Win for Nhat Nguyen
The win also helped Nguyen break his duck with Zii Jia, having lost the last three times they met on the court. Nhat Nguyen will now face Alex Lanier of France in the semifinals today.
National Men’s Doubles Pair Makes Semifinals
Meanwhile, the national men’s doubles pair of Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King defeated Taiwan’s Lee Jhe Huei-Yang Poh Hsuan 21-19, 21-18 to progress to the semi-finals in Orleans. They will next meet the top seeds from China, Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang, for a spot in the final.
Conclusion
Lee Zii Jia’s loss is a setback for the Malaysian badminton team, but the national men’s doubles pair’s success provides some solace. The team will look to regroup and come back stronger in their next tournaments.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the outcome of Lee Zii Jia’s match in the Orleans Masters badminton championships?
- He lost to Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in the quarterfinals.
- How long has Lee Zii Jia been out due to injury?
- He injured his ankle in December and this is his first tournament since then.
- Who will Nhat Nguyen face in the semifinals?
- He will face Alex Lanier of France.