KUALA LUMPUR — Independent men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia needs to adopt a higher-paced game at the China Open today, said former badminton international Datuk James Selvaraj.
As Zii Jia will be facing Japan’s rising star Kodai Naraoka in the opening round tomorrow, Selvaraj said the former would need an effective strategy to maintain his focus during the match.
World Championship silver medalist Naraoka is known for his exceptional skills in extended rallies.
“Zii Jia needs to strategise properly and focus on what he wants to do.
“His coach Wong Tat Meng will do his homework and tell Zii Jia how to play against Naraoka because the Japanese shuttler loves a good rally and he is so good at returning the shuttle to his opponent,” said Selvaraj.
To secure victory, Selvaraj suggested that Zii Jia should play a fast-paced game, exerting pressure on the Japanese player and seeking opportunities to finish points swiftly.
Slowing down the game, he said, would play to Naraoka’s strengths and tire Zii Jia out.
In another matchup, Selvaraj encouraged national shuttler Ng Tze Yong to concentrate on his strategy against India’s H. S. Prannoy if he wants a chance to beat the World Championships bronze medallist.
He said Tze Yong has a knack for upsetting top-ranked players, having sent Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen packing at the All England in March and former World Champion Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew at the Japan Open in July.
“Tze Yong needs a well-thought-out strategy, and he should vary his approach during the match.
“He has tricks up his sleeve that can unsettle even the best players, and that’s why opponents fear facing him.
“Beating Prannoy won’t be easy, but it’s possible,” added James.
Former national singles player Ong Ewe Hock echoed James’ sentiments, acknowledging Tze Yong’s underdog status and the progress in his game.
He hoped Tze Yong could secure a victory against Prannoy.
“He is an underdog and his game has been improving, but it is not stable yet.
“He has improved in terms of his speed and power, so I hope he can win against Prannoy,” said the 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
At the opening round of the Super 1000 tournament, men’s doubles Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi will face a formidable challenge from the world’s 19th-ranked pair from China, Ren Xiang Yu-Tan Qiang.
Dethroned world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will continue their quest for their first World Tour title as they take on South Koreans Choi Sol-gyu-Kim Won-ho.
Women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah will face Dutch duo Debora Jille-Cheryl Seinen, while Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien square off against Japanese pair Yuna Kato-Rui Hirokami and Anna Cheong-Teoh Mei Xing take on Indonesians Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi.
In an all-Malaysian showdown, independents Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai will face Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing in a mixed doubles event, national players Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei will take on Indian pair Rohan Kapoor-Reddy Sikki.
The China Open, a prestigious Super 1,000 tournament, commences today and runs until Sunday. — September 5, 2023