KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Zii Jia is just one match away from recapturing the Thailand Open crown in Bangkok.
En route to reaching his first final of the season, the 2022 champion clawed back from a game down to see off Taiwan's world No. 14 Chou Tien Chen 18-21, 21-12, 21-13 in the semi-finals at the Nimibutr Stadium today.
The win also sees the 26-year-old independent shuttler level his head-to-head record against the Taiwanese former world No. 2 to 5-5.
Zii Jia will face world No. 27 Angus Ng of Hong Kong in the final tomorrow.
Angus, who is coached by Malaysian Wong Choong Hann, stunned reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-14, 18-21, 21-19 in an earlier semi-final match.
Given his current form and confidence, the Olympic-bound Zii Jia is favourite to beat Angus for this first crown of the season.