Lee Zii Jia will look to get back to form at the German Open as the tournament’s top seed in Mulheim, Germany along with the rest of the Malaysian shuttlers who are in for a month-long stint in Europe.
By his standards, Lee has not performed up to the expectations so far after crashing out in the early rounds of the three tournaments he’s competed in so far.
He has also had to deal with off-court legal troubles involving former coach Indra Wijaya, but the German Open presents an redemption opportunity for the world number four.
Lee takes on a qualifier in the opening round, and could meet Lakshya Sen in the last eight.
Liew Daren, who will assume double duty as a participant and Lee’s coach, faces Kanta Tsuneyama, while Cheam June Wei takes on another Japanese Kenta Nishimoto.
Like Lee, men’s doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will also aspire to produce their best as the top seeds.
The India Open finalists challenge Japanese pair Akira Koga-Taichi Saito in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.
Tan Kian Meng-Tan Wee Kiong have also benefited from a first-round walkover and await their opponents in the next round.
Another Malaysian men's doubles pair, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, play Fang-Chih Lee-Lee Yang.
Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah are seeded third in the women’s doubles and have a straightforward tie against Irish pair Kate Frost-Moya Ryan, while Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien have a far tougher opponent in second seeds Jeong Na-Eun-Kim Hye Jeong.
In the mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei face team-mates Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing, and Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing are up against Indonesians Dejan Ferdinansyah-Gloria Emmanuelle Widjaja.
Goh Jin Wei is the country’s hopes in the women’s singles as she has home shuttler Lianne Tan for company in the first round.
Most of the Malaysian representatives are in action on Wednesday.
The German Open will serve as a warm-up event for the elite shuttlers ahead of the All-England taking place in Birmingham next week.
