{
  "id": 13107337,
  "title": "Zii Jia uses 'inside knowledge' to topple world No. 2 Popov",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/zii-jia-uses-inside-knowledge-to-topple-world-no-2-popov",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T12:04:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/badminton/2026/10/1551840/zii-jia-uses-inside-knowledge-topple-world-no-2-popov"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Lee Zii Jia, the world No. 56, stunned former world No. 2 Christo Popov to reach the semi-finals of the Arctic Open in Finland. Zii Jia, who had trained with Popov's brothers before the 2024 Malaysia Open, swept aside the French player 21-11, 21-16 in their quarter-final clash. This victory extends Zii Jia's head-to-head advantage over Popov to 3-0, despite the ranking gap. Zii Jia will face either Hu Zhe An or Anders Antonsen for a spot in the final. This semi-final appearance marks a turnaround from Zii Jia's previous tournament, the Vietnam Open, where he suffered a second-round defeat.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Zii Jia stuns world No. 2 Popov at Arctic Open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/zii-jia-stuns-world-no-2-popov-at-arctic-open",
        "published": "2026-10-09T11:41:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}