Paris Olympics: Zii Jia beaten in semis
Henry Larsson
August 4, 2024 18:18 MYT
August 4, 2024 18:18 MYT
Lee Zii Jia will have to settle for the Paris Olympics bronze medal match after the Malaysian was beaten in straight games 14-21, 15-21 by Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the men's singles semi-finals on Sunday.
The reigning world champion was simply too good for Lee, and rubber stamped another dominant win after he also outclassed world number one Shi Yu Qi in straight games in the quarter-finals.
Lee, who also lost to Vitidsarn at the Indonesia Open in June, knew he needed to be patient to find the opportunities to strike against the Thai.
#Olympics #Badminton | MS Semifinal #THA?? Kunlavut Vitidsarn(8) def. #MAS?? Lee Zii Jia(7) 21-14 21-15* Zii Jia put up a brave fight against the reigning world champion in the last four. Let’s aim for bronze, Zii Jia! ????#Paris2024#DemiMalaysia pic.twitter.com/VivFJnD2hB
— BAM (@BA_Malaysia) August 4, 2024
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But Vitidsarn played a tight game and did not give Lee much openings to smash.
He wrapped up the first game comfortably and it was the same case in the second game.
Lee tried to up the tempo by smashing whenever he had the chance, but the Thai's defence was too good.
Victory was confirmed after Lee's return sailed wide and Vitidsarn slumped to the court in celebration.
The 23-year-old moves into the men's singles final to face either Viktor Axelsen or Lakshya Sen.