Asian Games: Zii Jia, Aaron-Wooi Yik through after impressive comeback wins

Lee Zii Jia and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik had to dig deep to post gritty victories over their opponents and be among Malaysian shuttlers to get past the first round in Asian Games individual events that got underway Monday.

For Lee, the 15-21, 21-15, 21-16 victory over Angus Ng Ka Long stamped a statement the shuttler was ready to give his best effort in the men's singles event after losing tamely in the team event against South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin last week.

After losing the opening game, Lee bounced back in fine fashion against the Hong Kong star thanks to his attacking instincts in both the second and third game.

He was also more efficient in his overall display to reduce the unforced errors which greatly helped his cause.

As a result, the world number 16 ended a four-match losing streak to Ng that dated back to 2019.

“My thought was not to lose this match. We are professionals and there was no time to be sad about it [losing in the team event], we needed to focus on the individual event,” he said.

Lee is expected to cruise through his second round match against Timor Leste’s Mourinho Zefi Costa, but a potential third-round clash against world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn awaits after that.

Chia-Soh, meanwhile, put on a heart-stopping performance against Chinese Taipei’s Lu Ching-yao-Yang Po-han to win 21-23, 21-12, 23-21.

It was a gripping 90-encounter with both pairs trading blows and culminated in a tantalizing climax at the final point as the Chinese Taipei pair were both on the court floor to repel the Malaysians’ attack.

But they eventually sent a shot wide to confirm Chia-Soh’s passage into the round of-16, where they next face Thai pair Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren.

In the mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei came through following a straight game 21-17, 21-13 victory over Singapore’s Andy Kwek-Crystal Wong, which sees them pitted against India’s Sai Pratheek-Tanisha Crasto next.

Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai joined them after their opponents retired, and they next take on Jupak-Supissara Paewsampran.

It was a breeze for Goh Jin Wei in the women’s singles as she confirmed victory in 21-minutes after overcoming Pakistan’s Ghazala Siddique 21-10, 21-4 and booked a meeting with Vietnamese Thi Anh Thu Vu in the second round.

The only Malaysians to lose on Monday were Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, who were upstaged by Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin in straight games.