SEA Games debutant Lee Zii Jia’s second round exit in the New Zealand Open in Auckland on Wednesday has only whetted his appetite for the biennial games in Kuala Lumpur.
The singles shuttler failed to get past the second round but held his head high before bowing out to sixth seed Hsu Jen Hao (world 31) of Chinese Taipei after a 74-minute battle who won 21-18, 19-21, 21-16.
The Malaysian was an easy 21-7, 21-17 winner over Australian rookie Chen Cham in the first round.
“I had upset a few tops seeds in my past tournaments and it has boosted my confidence to do well in the KL SEA Games,” he said.
Zii Jia managed to get through to the semi-finals of fourth-tier Chinese Taipei Open Grand Prix Gold and the Thailand Masters Grand Prix Gold.
For the SEA Games, Zii Jia, however, wants to keep his expectations low to avoid pressure.
“This is my first SEA Games tournament and I am still young. I just want to do my best and try not to pressure myself at the same time.
“Having to play in my home country is added pressure as I will be watched by the whole nation,” said Zii Jia. – BY DESLYN YOON
