KUCHING: Lee Zii Jia safely booked his place in the Thailand Open 2026 main draw after defeating India’s Manav Choudhary 21-19, 21-18 in the men’s singles qualifiers in Bangkok yesterday.
The national ace looked composed throughout the straight-games victory as he continued rebuilding rhythm following his return to competition.
Zii Jia is scheduled to face Israel’s Daniel Dubovenko in the round of 32 later today.
Malaysia was met with mixed fortunes in the qualifying rounds.
In the men’s doubles qualifiers, Choong Hon Jian-Wong Vin Sean battled back strongly to defeat Thailand’s Kedren Kittinupong-Lucas Ekarat Wedler 14-21, 21-10, 21-14 to secure a place in the main draw.
In the women’s doubles qualifiers, Cheng Yu Pei-Sun Yu Hsing also advanced after overcoming Thailand’s Siraarkrapong Suriwassa-Pannarai Pannarai 21-10, 21-14.
However, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin bowed out in the men’s singles qualifiers after losing to China’s Zhu Xuan Chen, while Lim Teng Jian-Lau Yi Sheng were eliminated by China’s He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu in the men’s doubles qualifiers.
Malaysia’s representatives then produced encouraging results in the round of 32 matches yesterday.
In the men’s doubles, Chia Wei Jie-Teo Ee Yi fought back from a game down to edge Indonesia’s Muhammad Rayhan Ardianto-Rachim Hidayat 20-22, 21-19, 21-11.
Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Muhammad Haikal also advanced after defeating Hong Kong’s Lui Chun Wai-Hung Kuei Chun 22-20, 21-13.
Veteran pair Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub eased past Scotland’s Alexander Dunn-Adam Pringle 21-11, 21-15.
Malaysia also put up a spirited showing in the women’s doubles, with Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee stretching Indonesia’s Indah Cahya Sari Jamilah Meida-Ririn Kurnia Nastine to three games before narrowly bowing out.
Chong Jie Yu-Vanessa Ng were also eliminated after going down to Japan’s Haruka Suzuki-Nami Yamakita.
