Two-time world champion Viktor Axelsen described Lee Zii Jia as not a “fun opponent” if he arrives at the upcoming World Championships in Paris next week with good form.
“He’s just coming back, and it’s a hard tournament to come back and fire on all cylinders. But he’s not a fun opponent to meet if he is playing well attackingly.
“If his smashes are accurate and he has good timing, then it will not be a fun match and you will feel the pressure,” explained Axelsen, who also feels it will be difficult for Lee’s opponents to find a good playing rhythm against him.
“If you haven’t played him for some time, it can be hard if he is playing well,” added the Dane.
Lee is making a comeback after five-months since he last contested at the All-England.
After that, the now world number 52 applied for protected ranking from the Badminton World Federation to recover from a right ankle injury which he incurred at last year’s World Tour Finals.
Lee is scheduled to meet South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin in the world meet first round, an opponent he has beaten three times in four matches.
Axelsen, who also last featured at the All-England and is currently in rehab as he recover from a spinal disc injury, did not pick Lee as one of the favourites to win the men’s singles event.
His top picks are China’s Shi Yu Qi, his compatriot Anders Antonsen and Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
“He’s just coming back, and it’s a hard tournament to come back and fire on all cylinders. But he’s not a fun opponent to meet if he is playing well attackingly.
“If his smashes are accurate and he has good timing, then it will not be a fun match and you will feel the pressure,” explained Axelsen, who also feels it will be difficult for Lee’s opponents to find a good playing rhythm against him.
“If you haven’t played him for some time, it can be hard if he is playing well,” added the Dane.
Lee is making a comeback after five-months since he last contested at the All-England.
After that, the now world number 52 applied for protected ranking from the Badminton World Federation to recover from a right ankle injury which he incurred at last year’s World Tour Finals.
Lee is scheduled to meet South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin in the world meet first round, an opponent he has beaten three times in four matches.
Axelsen, who also last featured at the All-England and is currently in rehab as he recover from a spinal disc injury, did not pick Lee as one of the favourites to win the men’s singles event.
His top picks are China’s Shi Yu Qi, his compatriot Anders Antonsen and Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
