Pengalaman beraksi dalam kejohanan bertaraf GP Emas yang pertama dalam kariernya dimanfaatkan sebaik mungkin oleh perseorangan lelaki negara, Lee Zii Jia, meskipun tersingkir awal daripada Masters Malaysia.
Zii Jia, yang beralih ke kumpulan senior bermula tahun ini, mengakui cabaran lebih sukar menanti dirinya dengan bahagian perseorangan kini masih tercari-cari kelompok generasi baharu yang mampu bersaing di peringkat tertinggi.
Peluang beraksi dalam Masters Malaysia tetap memberi pengalaman tersendiri buat Zii Jia.
Dia terkandas dalam pusingan pertama selepas menghadirkan cabaran hebat kepada pemain India, Harsheel Dani, namun ditunjukkan jalan keluar dengan kekalahan straight sets.
Lantas, dia bertekad ingin memberi saingan lebih sengit menjelang GP Emas berikutnya di Thailand, bulan hadapan.
"Saya baru sahaja menyertai kumpulan senior, jadi saya berharap dapat beraksi dengan lebih baik dalam kejohanan tahun ini.
"Februari nanti ada satu lagi kejohanan di Thailand, jadi saya akan membuat persiapan yang lebih rapi bagi menghadapi kejohanan itu," jelas Zii Jia.
Dalam pada itu, seorang lagi perseorangan lelaki negara, Lim Chi Wing, mahu meningkatkan lagi tahap fizikal jika ingin mengekalkan peluang beraksi di peringkat seperti ini.
Pemain berusia 22 tahun ini yang juga juara kebangsaan 2016 masih belum menemui rentak sebenar di Sibu.
Dia tumpas kepada pemain pilihan kelapan dari Indonesia, Jonatan Christie, sambil menyifatkan lawannya mempunyai kelebihan, terutama daripada aspek kepantasan.
"Fizikal saya masih belum cukup baik, jadi saya mudah membuat kesilapan yang tidak sepatutnya.
"Saya perlu fokus dalam memastikan aksi seterusnya lebih konsisten," kata Chi Wing.
Stadium Astro
Sun Jan 22 2017
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