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Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia ends China Masters tournament following injury in the initial round

Malaysian badminton star Lee Zii Jia withdraws from China Masters' first-round due to injury, after falling behind 6-14 in the final set.

Lee Zii Jia, Malaysia's badminton player, is knocked out of China Masters due to an injury during...
Lee Zii Jia, Malaysia's badminton player, is knocked out of China Masters due to an injury during his first round match.

Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia ends China Masters tournament following injury in the initial round

Malaysian men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia faced an unfortunate setback in his return from an ankle injury during the China Masters tournament in Kuala Lumpur. According to a report by The Star, Zii Jia was forced to retire from his first-round match against Taiwan's Lin Chun-yi at the Shenzhen Arena.

The retirement marked Zii Jia's third tournament since his five-month layoff. The 24-year-old started the match strongly, winning the first game 21-17, but struggled with movement in the subsequent games. He trailed 6-14 in the deciding game before retiring.

The second game was also a closely contested affair, with Zii Jia missing a match point at 20-19, eventually losing it 21-23. This was Zii Jia's third consecutive first-round exit, following his departures from the World Championships in Paris and the Hong Kong Open in Kowloon.

Wong Tat Meng, Zii Jia's trainer, has been supporting him in his recovery from the ankle injury. Wong, who is also Zii Jia's former coach and physical trainer, recently showed positive signs of recovery after a serious motorcycle accident in Sydney.

The China Masters tournament, which is taking place in Kuala Lumpur, marks a significant event in the badminton calendar. Despite the unfortunate outcome, the tournament continues to attract top players from around the world.

The retirement comes as a disappointment for Zii Jia's fans, who were eager to see him back in action after his lengthy layoff. However, with Wong Tat Meng's guidance, Zii Jia is expected to make a strong comeback in future tournaments.

The match took place on September 17, 2023. Despite the setback, Zii Jia remains a formidable force in the world of badminton, and his fans will undoubtedly be hoping for a swift and successful recovery.

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