Lee Zii Jia Breaks 10-Month Winless Streak at Indonesian Masters

PETALING JAYA: Former Asian champion Lee Zii Jia finally ended a 10-month wait for a win after defeating India’s HS Prannoy in the first round of the Indonesian Masters on Wednesday (Jan 21). Zii Jia overcame the world No. 35 21-19, 21-11 in 35 minutes. It was a significant victory for Zii Jia, whose previous win had come at last year’s Orleans Masters before his run ended in the quarter-finals. The remaining four tournaments he competed in last year all ended in first-round exits, as he struggled with ankle and back injuries that forced him into a lengthy layoff. Awaiting Zii Jia in the second round is Thailand’s Panitchapon Teeraratsakul, who earlier knocked out Taiwan’s Lee Chia Hao 21-10, 21-18.