WITH the Sea Games just three weeks away, there is cause for concern over Lee Zii Jia’s withdrawal from the Hong Kong Open due to severe food poisoning.
Zii Jia, a contender for the men’s singles gold in the Sea Games, became ill during the China Open in Fuzhou over the weekend.
Zii Jia had to concede a walkover in the second round to World No 1 and eventual champion Kento Momota of Japan.
Coach Hendrawan said yesterday:‘Zii Jia finds it very difficult to train due to food poisoning. We’ve decided to pull him out of the Hong Kong Open.’
The Hong Kong Open begins tomorrow with Zii Jia slated to play against Thai Sitthikom Thammasin of Thailand, whom he may meet in the Sea Games.
Meanwhile, China Open semi-finalists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will aim for another fine run in the men’s doubles in Hong Kong.
They will play England’s Marcus Ellis-Chris Langridge in the first round and a possible second round clash against Denmark’s eighth seeds Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.
Aaron and Wooi Yik had upset Indonesia’s three-time world champions Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan and World No 5 Fajar Alfian-Mohammad Rian Ardianto, the favourites in the Sea Games, at the China Open.