Malaysia Open: Naraoka hands world number two Zii Jia first-round exit

The Malaysia Open continued to be a futile hunting ground for Lee Zii Jia as the Malaysian ace was handed a shock 21-13, 17-21, 19-21 defeat against Japan’s rising star Kodai Naraoka in the first round on Wednesday.

Lee’s shock exit at his home tournament came after he had lost in the second round of the same event last year.

While he did well to win the opening round, Naraoka got his momentum to level the second match and played a patient game in the decider, preferring to keep the rallies going while Lee was the opposite.

“I had given my best, but it was not meant to be. I have to accept this result and move on. He controlled the wind drift better, and was more confident when it mattered. I also have to learn to be more patient,” said Lee.

The 73-minute defeat meant that the anticipated Lee-Ng Tze Yong second round clash on Thursday would not happen, with Naraoka going on to face the Malaysian youngster instead.

Ng was in his elements to dish out a 21-4, 21-10 victory against Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen, which was one of the three victories the Malaysian contingent could be proud of on Wednesday.

World champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik won in three games, next facing China’s Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi.

Goh Jin Wei, the country’s sole representative in the women’s singles, won comfortably against Yvonne Li 21-11, 21-18, but has a tough date against South Korea’s An Se-young on Thursday.

Men’s doubles pairings Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also lost.

Goh-Izzuddin were ousted 21-16, 11-21, 17-21 by Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang, while Man-Tee fell 18-21, 21-23 to Indonesia’s Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo-Marcus Fernaldi Gideon.