Zii Jia looking to rekindle Arctic Open form
KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Zii Jia, who suffered an early-round defeat at the Vietnam Open last month, responded by reaching the Arctic Open main draw on Tuesday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Following his early exit from the Vietnam Open, Malaysian table tennis player Lee Zii Jia (world No. 56) has progressed to the main draw of the Arctic Open. In just 33 minutes, Zii Jia defeated Finland's No. 46 Kalle Koljonen (world No. 46) 21-12, 21-15. Earlier, Zii Jia lost to Taiwan's No. 90 Wu Zhe Ying in the second round of the Vietnam Open after a first-round bye.
In contrast, fellow Malaysian Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (world No. 105) claimed the title. Zii Jia, a former All England champion, won the Arctic Open in 2023. He will be aiming to replicate that success in Finland this week, where he will face China's No. 40 Dong Tian Yao in the first round on Wednesday. Tian Yao defeated Zii Jia in the Orleans Masters qualifiers in March.
In men's doubles, Malaysia will witness an all-Malaysia showdown between Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King and world No. 24 Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, while Malaysian No. 72 Chia Wei Jie-Teo Ee Yi will take on 141st-ranked Lithuanian pair Danielius Berzanskis-Domas Paksys.
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