Denmark Open: Zii Jia through to quarter-finals after Axelsen concedes walkover

Lee Zii Jia moved into the Denmark Open quarter-finals without having to lift his racquet to face Viktor Axelsen, who conceded a walkover on Thursday.

Ahead of one of the biggest match-ups in this Super 750 event, the lanky Dane had suffered a leg injury after he beat fellow countryman Magnus Johannesen.

The world number one admitted it would take “something extraordinary” to play against Lee following his injury, and it was confirmed on Thursday evening.

“Of course it’s frustrating as I feel I’m in good shape and would have loved to play in my hometown Odense in front of the amazing fans,” said Axelsen on his social media.

This is Axelsen’s second consecutive walkover against Lee, having also done so at the Sudirman Cup last May when he pulled his hamstring.

Lee now goes on to face either Chou Tien-chen or Kenta Nishimoto for a place in the semi-finals.

Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik joined him after battling from a game down to beat former world champions Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan 16-21, 21-5, 21-15.

The fifth seeds Malaysians, who are still seeking a first title on the World Tour circuit, take on Chinese pair He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu next.

Meanwhile, two other Malaysian pairs crashed out on Thursday.

Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei were beaten in straight games by Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai 15-21, 12-21, while Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien battled hard but fell narrowly in the deciding game against their Hong Kong opponents.