LEE Zii Jia has always wanted to challenge a top player.
The national men’s singles will finally get his chance when he takes on reigning Olympic champion Chen Long of China in the second round of the Indonesia Open today.
The 21-year-old Malaysian made short work of Thailand’s World No 19 Khosit Pethpradap by notching a 21-14, 21-13 win yesterday.
“It was a very important win against Khosit today considering the strong drift in the stadium,” Zii Jia told Timesports.
“It’s also very good for me to have adapted to it (drift), because it will be crucial when I take on Chen Long next.
“I’ve been waiting so long to play against the China ace, and finally my dream has come true.
“Of course, I’m hoping for a win,” added Zii Jia, who moved up a rung to No 16 in the world recently.
There was more good news for the Malaysia as women’s singles Soniia Cheah also checked into the next round in fine fashion.
The 26-year-old scored an impressive 21-8, 21-17 win over World No 15 Cai Yan Yan of China.
Awaiting Soniia in the second round, however, is World No 3 and former world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan.
Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying saw off Indonesia’s Ronald Ronald-Annisa Saufika 16-21, 21-7, 21-11 in the mixed doubles first round.
The Malaysians will face South Korea’s Sea Seung Jae-Chae Yujung next.
It was, however, the end of the road for men’s doubles, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and Chooi Kah Ming-Low Juan Shen.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi lost 17-21, 21-15, 21-16 to fifth seeds Hiroyuki Endo-Yuta Watanabe of Japan while Kah Ming-Juan Shen went down 21-15, 21-18 to Indonesia’s Wahyu Nayaka Arya Pangkaryanira-Ade Yusof Santoso.