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KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 – Top national singles ace Lee Zii Jia had a brilliant performance en route to claiming his first men’s singles title at the All England Badminton Championships with a throbbing 30-29, 20-22 victory. , 21-9 over Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in Birmingham today.
Zii Jia was in his element in a very close first game, as he used his powerful cross punches to take an 11-10 lead at interval.
Both players then fought hand-to-hand until the game was stopped due to Axelsen’s bloody knee when the game was tied at 20-20. That, however, did not stop Axelsen from fighting well, although Zii Jia remained calm, collected and collected to outlast the Dane in battle 30-29.
Game two saw Axelsen take the reins to lead 14-11 before Zii Jia found his rhythm to earn seven straight points to go 18-14 ahead. But that was just the wake-up call the defending champion needed as he struck back to win 22-20 and set up a delicious rubber game.
Zii Jia was a transformed player in Game 3 when he stepped on the gas to take an 11-5 lead at interval. With the Dane weakening rapidly, the Malaysian never took his foot off the pedal and when Axelsen sent an open backhand at match point, Zii Jia let out a cheer to seal victory after a thrilling 74-minute battle at Utilita Arena. . . – Bernama
