KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champion Lee Zii Jia defeated France's Christo Popov in the first round of the Arctic Open today.
The world No. 4 downed the 27th ranked Frenchman 21-15, 21-11 in 43 minutes at the Vantaan Energy Arena, in Vantaa, Finland.
With this win, Zii Jia buried the first round jinx that struck him in his most recent tournaments - the China and Japan Opens.
However, his compatriot, Leong Jun Hao, was sent packing by Hong Kong's world No. 16 Lee Cheuk Yiu.
Jun Hao, ranked 29th, was defeated in straight sets, 21-19, 21-9, in 44 minutes.