Malaysian badminton fans hoped this would be the tournament where Lee Zii Jia finally found his rhythm again. Instead, the Canada Open semi-finals delivered another frustrating reminder of his inconsistent season.
Lee reached the last four for the first time in two years, having shaken off a string of early exits earlier in the season. As a result, expectations were high heading into his clash with Japan’s Riki Takei.
Lee Zii Jia Form Wavers in Deciding Set
Lee started brightly, using his trademark smashes to build an early lead in the opening game. However, Takei adjusted quickly, targeting deep baseline shots to limit Lee’s room for aerial attacks.
Consequently, Lee’s net errors piled up, and he struggled during extended rallies. He dropped the first game 13-21, immediately putting himself under pressure.
Lee responded well in the second game, though. He repositioned himself on court and sped up his flat exchanges, taking the game 21-18 to force a decider.
Yet the momentum did not last. In the final game, Takei once again pinned Lee to the back court, using rotational shots to wear down his stamina. Lee grew visibly frustrated in the closing stages and could not convert the key points he needed. He ultimately fell 18-21, exiting the tournament at the semi-final stage.
What Comes Next for Malaysia’s Top Singles Player
Despite the setback, this run still marked genuine progress compared to his form earlier in the year. Lee is expected to take a short break before returning to the tour.
Meanwhile, fans remain hopeful that he can quickly find consistency again. If he builds on this semi-final showing, Lee’s path back to his peak competitive level may not be far off.
