Zii Jia shows positive signs on return in Indonesia after injury scare
PETALING JAYA: Actions speak louder than words ‑‑ at least that has a ring of truth for professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia.

In a training video taken in Jakarta and posted by his coach Wong Tat Meng, the world No. 9 Zii Jia showed efficient movement on court, accuracy in his attacking shots and looked hardly troubled by any form of injuries.

Indeed, that is a good sign and Tat Meng has given his charge’s physical condition thumbs up ahead of the Indonesian Open starting today.

There were fears over Zii Jia’s form after he was forced to sit out from last week’s Singapore Open due to cramps and hamstring injuries.

Tat Meng believes Zii Jia is back on his feet after posting a video of his charge training at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta in his social media page yesterday.

“(We) had practice session on court in the morning and (he’s) in good condition,” said Tat Meng.

Zii Jia was seen in high spirits in the video as he practised his shots.

Zii Jia captured the Thailand Open title and finished runners-up in the Malaysian Masters but the effort of reaching back-to-back finals seemed to take it’s toll as he withdrew from the Singapore Open.

The 26-year-old though looks to have suffered no serious issues which is a relief as the Paris Olympic Games is set to kick off next month.

Zii Jia will be out to maintain his recent good form in Indonesia where he will play world No. 21 Frenchman Christo Popov in the first round.

A win will likely see the former face China’s reigning Asian Games gold medallist and Singapore Open runners-up Li Shifeng in the second round.

Meanwhile, another Malaysian, world No. 36 Leong Jun Hao is set to make his debut in a World Tour Super 1000 event after he was promoted from the reserves list following several withdrawals.

Jun Hao needs to wait for the draw to be updated to know who he will face in the first round.

The 24-year-old will be out to punch above his weight again after stunning Indonesia’s world No. 7 and defending champion Anthony Ginting en route to reaching the quarter-finals in the Singapore tourney.
Badminton,Lee Zii Jia,Indonesian Open,Jakarta
PETALING JAYA: Actions speak louder than words ‑‑ at least that has a ring of truth for professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia.