Lee Zii Jia thanked home fans for rousing him to a fine 14-21, 21-15, 21-8 win over Denmark’s Anders Antonsen at the Malaysia Masters on Wednesday.
The Malaysian looked off the pace in the opening set to lose 14-21 but made a sensational comeback in the following two sets courtesy of some dazzling attacking displays for the 66-minute victory.
"The fans played a big part in my win. They supported me even though I surrendered the first game tamely.
"There was some pressure coming into this match having won gold at the SEA Games. My coaches told me not to feel too pressured after I lost the first game.
"I followed his tempo in the opening game. I rushed my shots and made too many mistakes. But I noticed he was also trying to play it safe, and that was crucial for me to just play my game and try to enjoy the match.
"It’s important that I have cleared this first round hurdle," said the SEA Games gold medalist.
After beating the likes of Chen Long and Viktor Axelsen last year, the world number 14 can now add Antonsen, last year's BWF World Championships runner-up, to his big name scalps.
But the road is still long in this tournament, and the Kedahan will next face India’s Sameer Verma for a place in the quarter-finals.
Top seed Kento Momota, meanwhile, picked up from where he left off last year with a 21-17, 21-16 success over India’s P. Kashyap.
The world number one had a stellar 2019 by racking up 11 titles, the most by a male shuttler in a badminton season.
The Japanese is determined to excel in this event, especially after having crashed out in last year's opening round to team-mate Kenta Nishimoto.
Momota also confirmed he has pulled out of next week’s Indonesia Masters to rest, and is ready to pay a fine for skipping the tournament.
"If we have to pay the fine, then we have no choice. Momota is tired having also played in Japan last year. He came here because he wants to have that competitive edge, but he can’t play in back-to-back tournaments," said Japan head coach Park Joo-bong.
Momota played at the All Japan Championship after winning his 11th title at the World Tour Finals in China last December.
The Malaysian looked off the pace in the opening set to lose 14-21 but made a sensational comeback in the following two sets courtesy of some dazzling attacking displays for the 66-minute victory.
"The fans played a big part in my win. They supported me even though I surrendered the first game tamely.
"There was some pressure coming into this match having won gold at the SEA Games. My coaches told me not to feel too pressured after I lost the first game.
"I followed his tempo in the opening game. I rushed my shots and made too many mistakes. But I noticed he was also trying to play it safe, and that was crucial for me to just play my game and try to enjoy the match.
"It’s important that I have cleared this first round hurdle," said the SEA Games gold medalist.
After beating the likes of Chen Long and Viktor Axelsen last year, the world number 14 can now add Antonsen, last year's BWF World Championships runner-up, to his big name scalps.
But the road is still long in this tournament, and the Kedahan will next face India’s Sameer Verma for a place in the quarter-finals.
Top seed Kento Momota, meanwhile, picked up from where he left off last year with a 21-17, 21-16 success over India’s P. Kashyap.
The world number one had a stellar 2019 by racking up 11 titles, the most by a male shuttler in a badminton season.
The Japanese is determined to excel in this event, especially after having crashed out in last year's opening round to team-mate Kenta Nishimoto.
Momota also confirmed he has pulled out of next week’s Indonesia Masters to rest, and is ready to pay a fine for skipping the tournament.
"If we have to pay the fine, then we have no choice. Momota is tired having also played in Japan last year. He came here because he wants to have that competitive edge, but he can’t play in back-to-back tournaments," said Japan head coach Park Joo-bong.
Momota played at the All Japan Championship after winning his 11th title at the World Tour Finals in China last December.
