Thomas Cup: Early Wins Mean Litte For Zii Jia, Jun Hao Struggles To Find Momentum
From Amiril Muttaqien Meketar
HORSENS (Denmark), April 27 (Bernama) -- Two wins out of two matches, but professional men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
The world No. 82 believes his real test is yet to come, with Japan looming in their final Group B tie of the Thomas Cup Finals 2026 on April 29 at the Forum Horsens, here.
"I don't want to say I'm very happy (two wins) because we knew what the level of these two matches would be like, but against Japan it will be a test for me.
"I feel both of them (the other singles players) have a chance (against Japan) and I have confidence in my teammates, if they (the coaching team) put me in, I will give my best," he said in the post match interview, here, today.
Zii Jia, earlier, delivered the second point for Malaysia as he got past world No. 706 Ananda Galvani Daniswara from Finland 21-19, 21-10, in 35-minutes.
Malaysia then sealed a place in the quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over Finland.
Last Saturday, the 2021 All England champion turned hero for Malaysia as he secured the winning point against England, 3-2, in the Group B opener by defeating world No. 233 Nadeem Dalvi 21-13, 21-11.
In the meantime, national top men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao, who was dropped against England, admitted that he still finding momentum which caused him to lose to world No. 60 Joakim Oldorff, 17-21, 15-21 in 43-minutes.
"I feel disappointed with today's game, this is my first match and I'm still trying to gain momentum," he said.
Second singles, Justin Hoh, who sparked Malaysia’s revival against Finland, said his victory against world No. 52 Kalle Koljonen 21-14, 21-12, had boosted his confidence in the tournament following a 19-21, 19-21 defeat to England’s Harry Huang.
Meanwhile, 2022 men’s doubles world champion, Soh Wooi Yik, thoroughly enjoyed his scratch partnership with Tee Kai Wun, which saw them win and seal the tie against Daniswara-Alvar Melleri 21-7, 21-14.
The Thomas Cup Finals 2026, which began on April 24, will run until May 3.
-- BERNAMA
