Stadium Astro takes a look at Lee Zii Jia's start to the 2026 season following his exit from the Thailand Masters on Friday.
Malaysia Open
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It was always going to be tough for Lee to make his return at a such a high-profile event, and on home soil where the stakes can get high.
Lee was making a first competitive return after four months, and it showed in his performance against India's Ayush Shetty.
The Malaysian crashed out in straight games 12-21, 17-21, but showed glimpses of his quality in the second game.
India Open
Lee improved significantly when he took on Denmark's third ranked shuttler Rasmus Gemke.
The former All-England champion won the second game after going down in the opener, and fought valiantly in the deciding game.
Unfortunately fine margins proved the factor as Lee bowed out 13-21, 21-18, 18-21.
Indonesia Masters
In Jakarta, Lee won his first match in 10-months after impressing in the straight game victory over India's H.S.Prannoy.
He faced an unknown shuttler in Thailand's Panitchapon Teeraratsakul in the second round, who turned out to be a quality opponent.
The Thai recovered from a game down to beat Lee in three games, eventually comfortable in the 21-8 win as he went all the way to the final.
Thailand Masters
This Super 300 event was Lee's chance to mount a sustained run, especially with the absence of many top ranked shuttlers.
The now world number 79 started off well to beat Belgium's Julien Carraggi in straight games, and turned in a resilient display to come from a game down and beat India's Mithun Manjunath to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in almost a year.
He faced Indonesia's young star Alwi Farhan in the last eight, and did well to win the opening game.
Lee showed plenty of character to mount a comeback against the Indonesia Masters champion in the second game, and despite losing had all the traits to win the deciding game.
Unfortunately for him, a left leg injury suffered late in the second game resulted in him retiring from the match.
It remains to be seen the extent of his injury, and if he would be able to compete at next month's German Open.
