Malaysian professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia suffered an early exit at the 2026 Australian Open after falling in the first round to Taiwan’s Lee Chia Hao in Sydney on Tuesday.
The defeat marks a disappointing end to Zii Jia’s campaign at the Super 500 tournament, especially after the former Australian Open champion battled through the qualifying rounds to secure a place in the main draw.
Ranked World No. 64, Zii Jia was unable to maintain the momentum he had shown earlier in the week, eventually going down 13-21, 22-24 in a closely contested 46-minute encounter against the World No. 34 from Taiwan.
Heading into the tournament, the 28-year-old Malaysian had shown encouraging signs after successfully navigating a challenging qualification route.
Having lifted the Australian Open title in 2024, many hoped the Sydney event could provide another platform for the former World No. 2 to continue rebuilding his ranking and confidence.
Instead, his campaign came to an abrupt halt against an in-form Chia Hao, who proved more clinical in the crucial moments.
The opening game saw Zii Jia struggle to establish his rhythm as Chia Hao immediately seized control of the rallies.
The Taiwanese star dictated the pace from the outset, forcing errors and preventing the Malaysian from finding consistency in attack.
As the gap widened, Zii Jia found himself chasing the game and ultimately surrendered the first set 21-13.
The scoreline reflected the challenges he faced throughout the opening period, with Chia Hao appearing sharper and more comfortable in the fast conditions.
Despite the setback, Zii Jia demonstrated the fighting qualities that have defined much of his career.
The Malaysian responded strongly in the second game, raising the intensity of his attacks and producing several impressive winners to put his opponent under pressure.
A much-improved performance allowed him to stay level throughout a tense battle that eventually went deep into the closing stages.
With the set hanging in the balance, Zii Jia repeatedly threatened to force a deciding third game and briefly appeared capable of turning the match around.
However, Chia Hao remained composed under pressure and capitalised on key opportunities during the decisive points.
The Taiwanese player eventually sealed a hard-earned 24-22 victory to complete the straight-games triumph and book his place in the second round.
While the first-round exit will undoubtedly be a disappointment for the Malaysian camp, there were still positive signs from Zii Jia’s overall week in Sydney.
His successful qualification campaign and improved competitiveness against higher-ranked opposition suggest that the former champion continues to make gradual progress in his return to top-level badminton.
After enduring a difficult period that saw his world ranking slip, every tournament remains an important step in rebuilding both confidence and consistency.
Credit Photo : BAT
