Lee Zii Jia asked for patience as he and his team put in the work to get the independent shuttler back to his best ahead of the upcoming China Open, where the Malaysian takes on Kodai Naraoka.

Lee is preparing to leave for Changzhou for the Super 1000 event that begins from September 5, where he is given an acid first round test against the recent BWF World Championships runner-up.

The world number 14 said he started preparing for the China Open as soon as he landed back from Copenhagen, Denmark from the world meet, where his campaign ended in the third round.

“I came into training the day after I landed, eventhough there was some jet lag. I am trying to be a professional. I don’t have a formula to get out of this situation, it will take time.

“I don’t know for how long, but I am working very hard to get back to my best performance. I ask for some patience. I am not Superman or Ironman. My coach and team are helping me get back to my best,” said Lee at a recent Victor event.

The 25-year-old will need to be at his peak endurance form when he takes on Naraoka, known for engaging in long matches that can drag on up to two hours.

At the World Championships final, the Japanese battled Kunlavut Vitidsarn for an hour 47 minutes before the deciding game took a toll on him to concede the match.

Nonetheless, this Lee-Naraoka match should play out as an attack vs defence duel with the Malaysian needing to bring out his finest attacking tools against an opponent who should set out to engage in long rallies.

Besides Lee, Ng Tze Yong also has a tough opening match against India’s H.S.Prannoy.

All the top guns in the men’s singles are in action in this event including Viktor Axelsen, Anthony Ginting and newly crowned world champion Vitidsarn.