KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s challenge at the Super 750 China Masters ended today in the quarterfinals after independent men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia was shown the exit at the Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium.
Kenta Nishimoto of Japan – ranked 13 in the world – took 40 minutes to demolish Zii Jia, winning the match 21-11, 21-12 in straight sets.
This is Zii Jia’s third defeat to Nishimoto in nine meetings.
However, it was progress for Zii Jia to play in the quarterfinals at the China Masters, after a first round exit at the Kumamoto Masters in Japan last week.
The 25-year-old became Malaysia’s only representative in the quarterfinals after men’s doubles pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, as well as women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei were all knocked out in the second round yesterday.
Nishimoto will take on Zhao Junpeng (world number 35) from China in the semifinals tomorrow for a spot in the final on Sunday. – November 24, 2023