KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Zii Jia conceded he was no match for Kodai Naraoka after losing to the Japanese world No. 3 in the first round of the China Open on Wednesday.
The world No. 14 Zii Jia suffered his seventh first-round exit this season, losing 26-24, 12-21, 21-11 to the World Championships silver medallist.
In his post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Zii Jia even lamented that he could not take any positives from the defeat.
"I don't think I have anything to say today. This is something I have to accept and just try again.
"Kodai, as we know, has been very consistent. He's a good rally and defensive player.
"He also makes less unforced errors and is very stable. That is his advantage.
"I managed to win the second game, but he played really well at the start of the third game. Those were the big differences.
"I don't think there is anything good for me. I just have to try again," said Zii Jia, who will compete in the Hong Kong Open next week before the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Having reached a career high world No. 2 ranking and winning the Asian Championships last year, Zii Jia is in a race against time to recapture his best form.
Apart from wanting to qualify for next year's Paris Olympics, Zii Jia must also justify his spot in the Youth and Sports Ministry's Road to Gold (RTG) programme.
Following Zii Jia's exit in Changzhou, Malaysia's hope for a shot at glory in the men's singles event now rests on the shoulders of world No. 22 Ng Tze Yong.
Tze Yong, who is also in the race to qualify for next year's Olympics, stunned world No. 6 H. S. Prannoy of India in the first round on Tuesday.
He will face Indonesia's Shesar Hiren Rhustavito in the second round on Thursday.