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Match Preview
Li-Ning China Master
2023
2023-11-21 to
2023-11-26
Source:
REUTERS/IVAN ALVARADO
The
2023 Li-Ning China Masters is scheduled to take place at Shenzhen Bay Sports
Centre Stadium from November 21st to 26th. This tournament holds significance
as the results will contribute to the World Badminton Federation points and the
qualification points for the 2024 Paris Olympics. A total of 22 countries and
246 athletes from the region will participate, including the top 15 singles
players and the top 10 doubles players in the world. According to the
established schedule, the first round of the top half of the five individual
events will be held on November 21st. Subsequently, on November 22nd, the first
round of the bottom half of the five individual events will take place.
However, in the case of extreme circumstances, such as scheduling conflicts,
unforeseen events, or any finalists are faced with consecutive matches, the top
half players will be arranged to compete in the first round on the second match
day, which is November 22nd.
The
men’s singles draw features several highly anticipated first-round matchups,
akin to quarter-finals or semi-finals clashes. Notably, there is a
“Malaysian Derby” between Lee Zii Jia, ranked 11th in the world, and
Ng Tze Yong, ranked 15th. Following the retirement of Lee Chong Wei, the Malaysian
badminton community has placed all their hopes and expectations on Lee Zii Jia.
In 2021, Lee Zii Jia had the honour of being the flag bearer for the Malaysian
delegation at the Tokyo Olympics. Additionally, he achieved a significant
milestone by defeating Viktor Axelsen in the men’s singles final of the All
England Badminton Open, which stands out as one of his notable accomplishments.
As
no.1 player in Malaysia, Lee Zii Jia is indeed recognised for his aggressive
and attacking style. He has secured multiple Super Series championships,
including prestigious tournaments like the All England Open and the Danish
Open. Notably, he became the first Malaysian men’s singles player to reach the
top two in the world rankings following the era of Lee Chong Wei, a legendary
Malaysian badminton player. Lee Zii Jia is often regarded as the embodiment of
“violent aesthetics” due to his aggressive and visually appealing
style of play. Ng Tze Yong, on the other hand, is an emerging talent in
Malaysian badminton. He is widely recognised for his strong defensive skills
and swift counterattacks. Yong has garnered attention by defeating top-ranked
players such as Viktor Axelsen and Kento Momota, earning him the nickname
“Giant Killer.”
Indeed,
the previous “Malaysian Derby” between Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong in
the men’s singles final of the Arctic Badminton Open showcased their
competitive spirit and skills. Lee Zii Jia emerged victorious in that
encounter, winning the match with a score of 2-0 and securing his 10th World
Tour championship. With this upcoming meeting, it is expected that their
rematch will be another thrilling showdown, characterised by intense
competition and excitement. With the lingering dominance of winning the Arctic
match, we believe the Malaysian number one has the strength to win another
battle.