Smashing start for Zii Jia but tricky Srikanth awaits

PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia made the smashing start that he was seeking at the Swiss Open by cruising into the second round in Basel.

The world No. 10 made quick work of Su Li-yang of Taiwan, winning the first round fixture 21-19, 21-12.

Zii Jia’s 30th seeded opponent, however, did give him a scare in the first round as he caught up with the Malaysian’s lead and tied the game 14-14, and then proceeded to hold the lead until it was 19-19.

But Zii Jia wasn’t going to let it get away from him as he took the win heading into the second game.

Li-yang had no answer to Zii Jia’s better display in the second game as the latter held on to the lead from the first point, extending the gap as the game went on and eventually closing out the match in 42 minutes.

However, a slip in the second game saw Zii Jia needing medical assistance after an apparent injury to his ankle but he seemed to be fine to carry on with the game.

Zii Jia will now face K. Srikanth of India after the world No. 27 shuttler defeated Taiwan’s Wang Tzu-Wei 21-17, 21-18 in the first round.

If he manages to get past Srikanth, Zii Jia will have a tough challenge waiting in the quarter-finals as he is likely to cross paths with Lakshya Sen.

The two met at the All England last week where Lakshya defeated Zii Jia in the quarter-finals, coming from behind to win 20-22, 21-16, 21-19.