Even though he lost in straight games to Kento Momota, Lee Zii Jia was the talk of the badminton world courtesy of his backhand smash against the world number one in the Korea Open quarter-finals.
Lee lost in straight games 15-21, 19-21 to the Japanese, who went on to clinch his third consecutive title, last week, but the Malaysian youngster again showed promise.
The highlight of the match was Lee's backhand smash, executed in 360 degrees pirouette, twice.
"I have done this in training, and my team-mates know I can pull off this move.
"But it’s not so easy to execute this in tournaments as I often meet top 32 players and they won’t give much chances for me to do this.
"I’m quite happy to have pulled this off against Momota. I became interested in this shot after watching Taufik [Hidayat] do it with success many times," said Lee when met in training on Tuesday.
Former Olympic champion and world number one Taufik was renowned for his backhand smashes, with many badminton observers rating it as good as the conventional forehand smash.
His viral shot aside, Lee is now turning his attention to the upcoming Denmark Open (October 15-20) and French Open (October 22-27), aiming to make a bigger impact.
The 21-year-old checked into the quarter-finals on nine occasions this year, and is banking on another good outing when he leaves for the European events.
Lee also conceded he needed to work on his psychological game as previously pointed out by coaching director Wong Choon Hann.
"I totally agree with [Choon Hann]. We have discussed some of the key areas I need to improve on before heading to Denmark and France," he added.
At the Denmark Open, the world number 15 will face China’s Chen Long in the first round.
Lee, who beat Chen once at the Indonesia Open and went the distance against the Olympic champion at the China Open before losing, is relishing another showdown against the Chinese number one.
"We can’t avoid top seeds or second seeds. For me, it's all about creating an upset to achieve better world ranking," he said.
Nicolas Anil
Wed Oct 02 2019
Piala Thomas: Tze Yong sah digugurkan
Persoalan mengenai pemain perseorangan negara, Ng Tze Yong, akhirnya terjawab apabila Pengarah Teknikal Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Rexy Mainaky, mengesahkan bahawa dia telah digugurkan akibat kecederaan yang sedang membelenggu dirinya ketika ini.
Piala Thomas/Uber: Filem Best of the Best jadi inspirasi skuad negara
Filem Hollywood, Best of the Best, menjadi inspirasi buat skuad badminton negara menjelang Kejohanan Piala Thomas dan Uber di Chengdu, China bermula hujung bulan ini.
Piala Thomas: Justin Hoh sedia sahut cabaran
Ketika status kecergasan pemain perseorangan negara, Ng Tze Yong, yang masih menjadi tanda tanya, skuad negara diberi sinar baru apabila perseorangan muda negara, Justin Joh, mengesahkan bahawa dirinya kini sudah pulih 100 peratus dari kecederaan sepanjang musim 2023 dan 2024.
Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin lonjak empat anak tangga
Beregu lelaki negara, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, mempamerkan peningkatan ketara dalam ranking dunia selepas muncul naib juara Kejohanan Badminton Asia minggu lalu.
BAM perlu lebih berani -- Sadek Mustafa
Status terkini Tze Yong masih belum diketahui
Pemain perseorangan negara, Ng Tze Yong, menimbulkan persoalan sama ada dia akan menyertai kejohanan Piala Thomas itu ataupun tidak ekoran kecederaan yang membelenggu dirinya.
"Tidak adil kepada pemain lain"-- Roslin Hashim
Pelbagai reaksi dan persoalan yang dilontarkan terhadap isu wang pampasan yang diberikan oleh Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), kepada jaguh perseorangan negara, Lee Zii Jia.
Isu pampasan: Patriotisme perlu atasi perkara lain
Patriotisme perlu mengatasi perkara lain, kata pemerhati sukan terkenal, Datuk Dr. Pekan Ramli, mengenai isu pampasan melibatkan perseorangan lelaki utama negara, Lee Zii Jia.
Kejohanan Badminton Asia: Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin pamer semangat juang tinggi sebelum muncul naib juara
Beregu lelaki negara, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, mempamerkan semangat juang tinggi sebelum tewas kepada gandingan pilihan ketiga dari China, Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang, dalam final Kejohanan Badminton Asia di Ningbo sebentar tadi.
Kejohanan Badminton Asia: Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin langkau keupayaan Aaron Chia-Wooi Yik ke final
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani menamatkan badi kekalahan kepada beregu utama, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, sejak 2019 untuk mara ke final Kejohanan Badminton Asia.
Julian Nagelsmann to stay on as Germany coach until after 2026 World Cup
The former Bayern Munich boss was appointed last September.
Lawrence Shankland dreaming of cup glory with Hearts
The Jambos face a stumbling Rangers at Hampden.
Andy Murray returns to practice court as he continues ankle injury recovery
Murray ruptured ligaments at last month’s Miami Open.
Inter Miami v Nashville SC: Smith not looking forward to Messi reunion
Lionel Messi has already done the damage against Nashville SC this season, and Gary Smith is not relishing another matchup.
Arsenal have ‘great’ title chance if they can avoid injuries – David Seaman
The Gunners can return to the top of the table this weekend.
Sheffield United v Burnley: Kompany wants fearless approach
Sheffield United v Burnley preview
Lando Norris lands sprint race pole position at Chinese Grand Prix
In soaking conditions at the Shanghai International Circuit, Norris finished 1.2 seconds clear of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton
Jess Park enjoying ‘incredible’ spell with title-chasing Manchester City
James not looking to past results ahead of Lakers-Nuggets rematch
James putting no emphasis on past
