Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia celebrates after defeating Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew during their men’s singles quarter-final match at Indonesia Open badminton tournament at Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, June 17, 2022

PETALING JAYA: Top Malaysian singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia beat his childhood rival Loh Kean Yew to advance to the semi-finals of the Indonesia Open in Jakarta.

The sixth seeded Malaysian prevailed 21-18, 16-21, 22-20 in 65 minutes against the reigning world champion from Singapore in a tight quarter-final clash at Istora Senayan Stadium on Friday (June 17).

World No. 5 Zii Jia, who is looking to make up for his quarter-final exit from last week’s Indonesia Masters, will meet either Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen or Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting in the semi-finals tomorrow.

Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are also through to the semi-finals after edging Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob of Indonesia 14-21, 21-12, 22-20.

Malaysia’s challenge in the mixed doubles ended with Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei losing 16-21, 17-21 to South Korea’s Chae Yu-jung-Seo Seung-jae.

Chen Tang Jie-Valeree Siow also went down 12-21, 14-21 to China’s Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping.