World's top 30 snub opens door for Zii Jia's title charge

KUALA LUMPUR: Independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia could end his 29-month title drought at the Syed Modi International in Lucknow from Nov 24-29, with the world's top 30 players skipping the Super 300 tournament.

Their absence leaves Singapore's world No 33 Jason Teh as the highest-ranked shuttler, giving Zii Jia a strong opportunity to claim a World Tour title.

The world No 43 last lifted a trophy at the Super 500 Australian Open in Sydney in June 2024.

He carried that form into the 2024 Paris Olympics to win a bronze medal, but injuries and personal issues have derailed the former All England champion since.

However, Zii Jia showed signs of recovery by reaching the semi-finals of the Super 500 Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, where he beat French world No 1 Christo Popov in the quarter-finals.

Illness hampered him at the Super 500 Hylo Open a week later.

Despite suffering from a high fever, he defeated Jason in the opening round to level their head-to-head record at 1-1 before losing to Japan's world No 8 Kodai Naraoka in the last 16.

Zii Jia subsequently withdrew from the Korea Open (Nov 3-8) and lost in the qualifying round to Japan's Minoru Koga at the ongoing Kumamoto Masters.

He is expected to return in better physical condition in Lucknow, having rediscovered his powerful smashes and fluid movement during the European swing.

The other leading contenders at the Syed Modi International are India's world No 39 HS Prannoy and Frenchman Arnaud Merkle, the world No 44.

Winning the tournament would also push Zii Jia into the world's top 40 and secure his spot in the expanded, season-opening Malaysia Open from Jan 21-31, where 48 players will make the cut for the Super 1000 event.