Sudirman Cup: Zii Jia leads Malaysia to victory against England

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia got their 2021 Sudirman Cup Group D campaign off to a winning start by edging England 3-2 at Vantaa, Finland, today.

World number 27 mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See gave Malaysia the perfect start when they stunned England’s world number seven duo of Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith 21-19, 21-18 at the Energie Areena.

Inspired, team captain Lee Zii Jia then made it 2-0 for Malaysia when he brushed aside Johniee Torjussen 21-4, 21-15 in just 28 minutes in men’s singles.

Tokyo Olympics men’s doubles bronze medallists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik then delivered the winning point, but not before being put through the wringer by Ben Lane-Sean Vendy.

The world number eight Malaysians struggled to cope with the fast-paced display of Lane-Vendy but, somehow, managed to find extra gear to eke out a 22-20, 21-18 win.

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