Kuala Lumpur: Acknowledging the evolving landscape of men’s badminton, Malaysia’s men’s singles coach, Hendrawan, has revealed that the gap between the World No. 13 Lee Zii Jia and the World No. 22 Ng Tze Yong is gradually narrowing—a promising trend for Malaysia’s badminton scene.
Reflecting on their recent clash during the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, where Lee emerged victorious with a hard-fought score of 21-17, 24-26, 21-19, Hendrawan commented, “In the past, the disparity between Tze Yong and Zii Jia was quite significant. During our preparations for the Sudirman Cup earlier this year, Tze Yong still lagged behind Zii Jia.”
“However, in Australia, we witnessed Tze Yong putting up a strong fight against Zii Jia. This is an encouraging sign for Tze Yong. He possesses the determination that, when he’s at his best, gives him a chance to pose a formidable challenge,” added Hendrawan.
Highlights of Lee Zii Jia vs. Ng Tze Yong in the 2023 Australian Quarter-Finals:
“These two players, Zii Jia and Tze Yong, are currently the top men’s singles players in Malaysia,” Hendrawan emphasized.
Turning his attention to the World Championship draw, which placed Ng Tze Yong against China’s Zhao Jun Peng in the opening round, Hendrawan maintained that with a steadfast performance, Tze Yong can excel.
“In a major tournament like this, he must adapt to whatever circumstances arise. As he’s yet to attain seeded status, he must accept the draw’s outcome.”
“Should he secure victory in the first round, he’ll then encounter Anders Antonsen. These two opponents have never crossed paths in his career, making it an intriguing prospect to observe.”
“In terms of preparation, everything is progressing smoothly. I hope he approaches the tournament with dedication, focusing on each step. Next week, we’ll analyze the strategies of both opponents,” Hendrawan detailed.
