KUALA LUMPUR: A much-anticipated clash with Indonesia's Anthony Ginting did not materialise as Lee Zii Jia now finds himself going up against rising Chinese star Weng Hong Yang instead for a place in the final of the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Zii Jia was in his element as he destroyed Kanta Tsuneyama of Japan 21-13, 21-11 in just 36 minutes at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Manila to reach the semi-finals today.
Second seed Anthony, on the other hand, struggled to impress yet again as he was beaten 21-13, 16-21, 21-11 by world No 81 Hong Yang.
The 22-year-old, who qualified for the main draw through the qualifiers, had won the Korea Open a few weeks ago.
However, Zii Jia should start as the man to beat, but he will have to tread with caution, considering this will be his first meeting with the rising Chinese star.
With the top two seeds, including Kento Momota eliminated, the door is now wide open for Zii Jia to win his first continental crown.
The other semi-final will feature an all-Indonesian affair between Jonatan Christie and Sea Games-bound Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, who defeated Momota in the first round.
There is good news in the men's doubles as Malaysia are assured a place in Sunday's final.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will face off against Nur Izzuddin Rumsani-Goh Sze Fei in today's semi-finals.
Aaron-Wooi Yik bounced back from a first game blemish to beat India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 12-21, 21-14, 21-16.
Izzuddin-Sze Fei booked their spot by triumphing 21-19, 21-14 over China's Ren Xiang Yu-Tan Qiang.
Debutants Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun's gallant run came to an end after going down 21-16, 21-16 to Muhammad Rian Ardianto-Fajar Alfian of Indonesia.
Malaysia's challenge in the mixed doubles competition ended with the exit of Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
The world No 9 went down 21-18, 21-5 to All England champions Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino.
RESULTS
QUARTER-FINAL
(Malaysia unless stated)
Men's singles: Lee Zii Jia bt Kanta Tsuneyama (Jpn) 21-13, 21-11.
Doubles: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani bt Ren Xiang Yu-Tan Qiang (Chn) 21-19, 21-14; Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bt Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (Ind) 12-21, 21-14, 21-16; Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Ina) bt Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun 21-16, 21-16.
Women's doubles: Sayaka Hirota-Yuki Fukushima (Jpn) bt Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah 14-21, 21-19, 21-16.
Mixed doubles: Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino (Jpn) bt Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing 21-18, 21-5.