JAKARTA, June 14 — National professional singles player Lee Zii Jia has decided to take a rest from badminton competition to rejuvenate his motivation following the poor performance lately.

Zii Jia who was defeated in the first round of the 2023 Indonesia Open today, however did no indicate how long he would be away.

"Obvious, I am devastated. I will take a break to find my inspiration again,” he told reporters.

The Kedah-born shuttler was met by reporters after the match which saw him trounced by India’s Lakshya Sen 21-17, 21-13 in 33 minutes at Istora Senayan Stadium, here today.

Last week, Zii Jia also lost in the first round of 2023 Singapore Open to world number 27, Weng Hong Yang of China 20-22, 21-16, 19-21.

Meanwhile, the national mixed doubles pair of Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See also faced a similar fate after losing 16-21, 9-21 to Indonesians Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti.

It was also the end of the road for national men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Kai Wun Tee despite a gallant effort against Japan’s Keiichiro Matsui-Yoshinori Takeuchi.

The Malaysian pair started off well to win the first game but the Japanese shuttlers fought back to win 19-21, 21-15, 21-19 in a titanic tussle that lasted one hour and six minutes.

But it wasn’t all bad news for the Malaysian camp as the other mixed doubles pair of Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing managed to get into the last 16 after trouncing England’s Gregory Mairs-Jenny Moore 21-14, 21-13.

Also through to the last 16 are national men’s doubles aces Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who disposed of Indonesians Muhammad Shohibul Fikri-Bagas Maulana 21-16, 21-12. — Bernama