Lee Zii Jia’s Arctic Open Title Defense Comes to an End
Defending champion Lee Zii Jia’s hopes of retaining the title at the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, were dashed as he fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Japan’s Koki Watanabe in the quarter-final.
Domination in the First Game
Watanabe, who previously knocked out Zii Jia in the first round of the China Open last month, was in complete control throughout the match, beating the world No 4 by 13-21, 21-13, 12-21. This marks Watanabe’s third consecutive win over Zii Jia, who was unable to find his rhythm in the contest.
A Challenging First Game
In the opening set, Zii Jia appeared to be struggling, as Watanabe was able to return most of his shots with ease. Watanabe took an early lead, racing to 15-9 in just 11 minutes, before Zii Jia attempted to mount a comeback. However, it was too little, too late, and Watanabe took the game 21-15 in 23 minutes.
Zii Jia Finds His Form
The Malaysian returned with renewed vigor in the second game, taking a commanding 11-3 lead at the break in 10 minutes and forcing Watanabe into errors. Zii Jia built on his lead, increasing it to 16-5, but Watanabe refused to give up. He launched a late rally, taking five consecutive points to narrow the gap to 16-9. Zii Jia, however, was able to stem the tide and won the game 21-13 in 20 minutes, forcing a deciding rubber.
Watanabe’s Dominance
On resumption, a revitalized Watanabe raced to a 4-1 lead, with Zii Jia making unforced errors and struggling to find his footing. Watanabe dictated the pace, taking the game and the match 12-21.
What’s Next for Watanabe and Zii Jia?
Watanabe will now face either French star Alex Laner or Taiwan’s World No 10 Chou Tien Chen in the semi-final. For Zii Jia, this loss marks the end of his Arctic Open campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Zii Jia’s loss impact his chances of retaining the title?
A: Zii Jia’s loss ended his hopes of defending the title.
Q: Who will Watanabe face in the semi-final?
A: Watanabe will face either Alex Laner or Chou Tien Chen in the semi-final.
Q: How many times has Watanabe beaten Zii Jia in their previous encounters?
A: Watanabe has beaten Zii Jia in all three of their previous meetings.