KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — National men's professional player Lee Zii Jia breezed into the second round of the 2024 Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Ningbo, China, today.
The 2022 BAC champion started on the right footing when he easily defeated India's Priyanshu Rajawat 21-9, 21-13 in the opening round at the Ningbo Olympics Sports Centre gymnasium.
The eighth-seeded Lee will next meet Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen. Both had an easy passage in the first round when China's Weng Hong Yang retired after losing 16-21 in the first game.
He has won only three of his eight previous encounters with the world number 15 Tien Chen.
Lee won the 2022 BAC title in Manila after beating Indonesia's Jonatan Christie 21-17, 23-21 in the final.
National professional women's pair Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien were sent packing early when they went down to South Korea's Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong 11-21, 10-21.
Other Malaysian representatives are scheduled to play their matches later today.
— Bernama
[caption id="attachment_352873" align="aligncenter" width="933"]
National badminton and women's doubles athletes Vivian Hoo (front) and Lim Chiew Sien (back) in action during their match South Korea's Jeong Na Eun and Kim Hye Jeong in the opening round of the 2024 Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) at the Ningbo Olympics Sports Centre gymnasium in Ningbo, China, on April 10, 2024. — Picture via FACEBOOK/BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA - BAM[/caption]
