Zii Jia ends two-year wait for Super 500 semi-final

KUCHING: After a year littered with early exits and setbacks, Lee Zii Jia finally had something to celebrate after knocking out world No. 2 Christo Popov to reach the Arctic Open semi-finals.

The world No. 56 produced one of his strongest performances of the season to beat the French second seed 21-11, 21-16 in 38 minutes at Energia Areena in Vantaa, Finland, on Friday (Oct 9).

It was Zii Jia’s first Super 500 semi-final in two years since his injury struggles – and the significance of that was not lost on the Malaysian.

“After so many mistakes this year, so many first-round losses – losing, losing and losing again – I just kept trying,” he said in a post-match interview with Badminton Europe.

“Finally, I managed to do it. This is my first Super 500 semi-final in two years since my injury.

“It’s quite difficult to describe how I feel right now.”

Zii Jia took control early against Popov, running away with the opening game before keeping his composure in the second despite requiring treatment for a cut on his right thumb.

The victory also extended his unbeaten record against Popov to three matches since their first meeting at the 2022 German Open.

For Zii Jia, however, the result meant more than another win over a familiar opponent.

“I didn’t expect that I could beat him in straight games, especially because he has changed a lot over the past two years, while for me, I basically had to start again from zero.

“Of course, this is a breakthrough for me.”

After months of trying to rebuild his game and confidence, Zii Jia now finds himself back in the last four of a Super 500 event – with a familiar foe (Denamrk’s Anders Antonsen) waiting for him at the semis seat.