China Masters: Zii Jia crashes out after Lakshya Sen defeat

Lee Zii Jia crashed out of the China Masters opening round after a 14-21, 21-13, 13-21 against Lakshya Sen, leaving him with only one more tournament to look forward to at the World Tour Finals (WTF) next month.

Lee, who beat Sen to win the Paris Olympics bronze medal in August, could not match the shot quality and the pace of the Indian and succumbed to defeat after 57-minutes.

It is a disappointing blow for the world number six, who was aspiring to put on a good showing ahead of the WTF in China.

Lee should still qualify for the WTF as he currently sits in sixth spot.

The top eight shuttlers will qualify for the lucrative season-ending finale.

Two Malaysian doubles pairs meanwhile qualified to the next round in the first round early session.

National mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin overcame their Chinese Taipei opponents in straight games and will next face second seeded Chinese pair Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin.

Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien also won in straight games and will take on Hong Kong’s third seeds Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet.