Lee Zii Jia described his comeback victory against Shi Yuqi as the “biggest win of his career” after the Malaysian won 12-21, 21-16, 21-19 in a pulsating quarter-final action at the 2020 Malaysia Masters on Friday.
His reward is a tantalising semi-final showdown against world number one and top seed Kento Momota, who ousted China’s Huang Yu Xiang 21-13, 19-21, 21-9.
"I was outstanding today. It’s been a while since I played this well.
"I could see he was still struggling with his leg injury, but Shi Yuqi is an experienced player and he used that to his advantage today.
"I did not know how to play him in the first set. But I am learning how to be strong mentally in situations like this. I can calm myself in crucial moments,” said Lee.
In front of a big crowd at the Axiata Arena, Lee struggled in the opener against the world number eight, committing numerous unforced errors to surrender 12-21.
But he grew into the match in the second set, forcing his Chinese opponent to a net game which he excelled to win 21-16.
Lee was fired up in the deciding game too as he led 18-16 before Shi forced a tie at 18-18.
Credit to the world number 14, he did not wilt and managed to cross the line, setting up a meeting with the seemingly invincible Momota.
"It will take something extraordinary to beat Momota.
"You need to be fit, you need to attack him with constant speed and not make mistakes. But I will play like how I did today and we’ll see what happens," he added.
Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying are the other Malaysians joining Lee in the semi-finals after they beat Japanese pair Takuro Hoki-Wakana Nagahara 21-15, 21-18 in the mixed doubles.
They next face China’s second seeds Wang Yi Lyu-Huang Dong Ping.
It was the end of the road for men’s doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, who lost to South Koreans Kim Gi-jung-Lee Yong-dae 21-19, 15-21, 20-22.
Nicolas Anil
Fri Jan 10 2020
Piala Thomas: BAM akui Malaysia terlalu bergantung kepada pemain utama
Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, akur dengan kebergantungan Malaysia kepada tonggak utama di kempen Piala Thomas 2024, yang menyaksikan perjuangan skuad negara terhenti di pentas separuh akhir.
Piala Thomas: Saya seperti orang lain dalam set kedua -- Lee Zii Jia
Perseorangan lelaki utama negara, Lee Zii Jia, mengakui masih banyak yang perlu diperbaiki daripada segi corak permainannya.
Terkini Piala Thomas: Lee Zii Jia akur kehebatan Shi Yuqi (MAS 0 CHN 1)
Perseorangan lelaki utama negara, Lee Zii Jia, gagal membutirkan mata pertama negara apabila tewas secara set langsung kepada pemain nombor dua dunia dari China, Shi Yuqi, dalam perlawanan separuh akhir Piala Thomas di Chengdu sebentar tadi.
Piala Thomas: Lee Zii Jia beri mata pertama
Pemain perseorangan nombor satu negara, Lee Zii Jia, menyumbangkan mata pertama dalam perlawanan suku akhir Piala Thomas menentang pemain perseorangan dari Jepun, Kenta Nishimoto di Chengdu, China sebentar tadi.
Lee Zii Jia punyai rekod cemerlang berdepan Kenta Nishimoto
Pemain perseorangan lelaki negara, Lee Zii Jia, dijangkakan bakal turun berdepan wakil perseorangan Jepun, Kenta Nishimoto, dalam saingan suku akhir Piala Thomas di Pusat Sukan High-Tech Zone Chengdu, China petang ini.
Pemain wanita Amerika Syarikat terkesima lihat Lee Zii Jia
Pemain badminton Amerika Syarikat, Esther Shi, terkesima memandang pemain perseorangan lelaki negara Lee Zii Jia yang sedang berjalan ke arah kawasan rehat di Pusat Sukan High-Tech Zone Chengdu, China.
Piala Thomas: Aksi dramatik Zii Jia-Axelsen tarik perhatian BWF
Aksi peringkat Kumpulan D antara Malaysia dan Denmark telah menyajikan perlawanan yang cukup menarik.
Piala Thomas: Tiada jaminan menang jumpa Viktor Axelsen -- Lee Zii Jia
Perseorangan nombor satu negara, Lee Zii Jia, menyedari bahawa banyak penambahbaikan yang perlu diperbaiki selepas tidak kesampaian menyumbangkan mata pertama dalam penutup Kumpulan D Piala Thomas apabila tewas kepada pemain nombor satu dunia, Viktor Axelsen, sebentar tadi.
Piala Thomas: Zii Jia jadikan aksi bertemu Viktor Axelsen penanda aras
Pemain perseorangan lelaki negara, Lee Zii Jia, cemerlang menyumbangkan mata dalam perlawanan menentang Algeria dengan menewaskan pemain di ranking 222 dunia, Adel Hamek, dalam saingan Piala Thomas 2024, hari ini.
Piala Thomas: Zii Jia tak sempat berpeluh sumbang mata pertama
Pemain perseorangan nombor satu negara, Lee Zii Jia, menyumbangkan mata pertama dalam perlawanan kedua selepas beraksi dengan baik menewaskan wakil perseorangan Algeria, Adel Hamek, dalam aksi peringkat kumpulan saingan Piala Thomas di Chengdu, China sebentar tadi.
'I will keep fighting' - Ten Hag adamant he is the right manager for Man Utd
Manchester were thrashed 4-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday, leading to more questions about Erik ten Hag's uncertain future at the club.
Man Utd thrashing a 'big statement' but Palace are not surprised, says Eze
Crystal Palace hammered Manchester United 4-0 on Monday at Selhurst Park, but Eberechi Eze insists it should come as no surprise.
Udinese 1-1 Napoli: Struggling Bianconeri grab last-gasp home draw
Napoli thought they would get a much-need win, but Isaac Success had other ideas as Udinese got a vital point in the relegation battle.
Crystal Palace 4-0 Manchester United: Olise stars as Eagles soar to thumping victory
Michael Olise was at the double as Crystal Palace thrashed Manchester United 4-0 in Monday's Premier League encounter at Selhurst Park.
Al Ahli 1-2 Al Hilal: Malcom saves league leaders' winning streak
Al Hilal left it late to get another three points, coming from behind to beat Al Ahli and extend their lead at the top of the table.
Carragher: Moyes leaving West Ham 'a great decision for everybody'
Moyes departure the right call
IPL: Yadav century ends Mumbai's losing streak in style
IPL: Yadav stars for MI
Moyes to leave West Ham at end of season
Moyes to leave West Ham
Ten Hag hits back at Mourinho dig over Man United board backing
Jose Mourinho's claims the Manchester United board supported Erik ten Hag more have not gone over well with the current Red Devils boss.
Sinner will only play Roland Garros if '100 per cent' fit
Sinner aims for French Open return