Zii Jia climbs to world number two ahead of French Open

Lee Zii Jia moved in as world number two on the BWF world rankings two days after he finished as Denmark Open runner-up on Sunday.

The Malaysian moved in behind Viktor Axelsen with 92,528 points to put a significant distance between him and world number three Anders Antonsen.

With Antonsen ruling himself out for the remainder of this season, Lee can build on solidifying that second spot at the upcoming French Open and Hylo Open.

Lee did well at the Denmark Open by reaching the final before he was taken out in three games by China’s Shi Yu Qi.

Lee said he was happy with his Denmark outing, and will be confident of emulating the same performance in Paris beginning with a first-round clash against Indonesian Shesar Hiren Rhustavito on Wednesday.

If it goes according to plan, he will be up for a last eight clash against Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, and potentially meet Shi or Axelsen in the semis.

In the men’s doubles, world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are in the same half as Kevin Sanjaya Sukomuljo-Marcus Fernaldi Gideon who beat them at the Denmark Open semis.

The fourth seeds face an opening round test against China’s Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang, and will aspire to go on another strong run in this Super 750 event.

There are several other men’s doubles pairs in the mix too, including Man Wei Chong-Kai Wun Tee, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Tan Kian Meng-Tan Wee Kiong and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin.

Goh-Izzuddin in particular should be eager to bounce back from an early exit from the Denmark Open as they face Danes Kim Astrup-Anders Rasmussen.