Lee Zii Jia has taken a significant step forward in his comeback campaign after booking a place in the men’s singles semi-finals of the Canada Open.
It marks the Malaysian shuttler’s first appearance in the last four since returning from a seven-month injury layoff earlier this year, during which he has competed in 11 BWF World Tour tournaments.
Currently ranked world No. 60, Zii Jia produced a commanding performance in the quarter-finals, defeating Taiwan’s Wang Po-Wei, ranked 45th in the world, 21-15, 21-13 in just 34 minutes at the Pan Am Centre in Markham, Ontario.
The 28-year-old will next face Japan’s Riki Takei, ranked world No. 74, in the semi-final clash, with both players set to meet for the first time in their careers.
The upcoming match also marks Zii Jia’s first World Tour semi-final appearance since June 2024 at the Australia Open, where he last lifted a title.
That same year, he also secured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, further highlighting his pedigree at the highest level of the sport.
Although the Canada Open is classified as a Super 300 event, a title win would be a crucial boost for Zii Jia as he continues to rebuild his ranking and secure entry into higher-tier tournaments.
The result also represents a notable turnaround in form, having previously managed only one quarter-final finish in his last 10 events, alongside several early exits during his recovery period.
