Lee Zii Jia falls 21-11, 15-21, 21-16 to Anders Antonsen in Arctic Open semis after beating Popov

Lee Zii Jia's revival in Finland ended in the semi-finals, but not without a fight. The Malaysian lost 21-11, 15-21, 21-16 to Denmark's Anders Antonsen at the Arctic Open in Vantaa on Saturday 10 October, in a match lasting 78 minutes, a day after he had knocked out world No. 2 Christo Popov.

How the semi-final was won and lost

Antonsen, the fourth seed, made the faster start. He raced to a 13-4 lead in the opening game and took it 21-11, with Zii Jia struggling to find the attacking rhythm that had carried him through the earlier rounds.

The second game turned the match into a contest. Antonsen went 4-0 up, but Zii Jia worked his way back, drew level at 16-16 and then pulled away to win it 21-15 and force a decider.

In the third game the Dane regained control. He led 11-5 at the interval and, although Zii Jia kept the gap within reach, Antonsen converted his first match point to win 21-16. According to RTM, the result gives Antonsen a 6-5 lead in their head-to-head record.

A week that changed the mood

Even in defeat, the Arctic Open was Zii Jia's most encouraging tournament in a long time. The former world No. 2, a 2021 All England champion and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist, has spent much of the past two years battling recurring injuries and inconsistent results.

In Vantaa he reached the semi-finals without dropping a game, and his 21-11, 21-16 quarter-final win over Popov was his first victory over a top-10 player since December 2024. The semi-final was also his first at a Super 500 event since the 2024 Australian Open, which he went on to win.

Speaking after the match, as reported by Jesselton Times, Zii Jia said he had gained confidence match by match, and that Antonsen, one of his closest friends on tour, told him not to doubt himself. Antonsen described the contest as "genuinely an emotional journey."

Antonsen v Tanaka for the title

Antonsen goes into Sunday's final against Japan's Yushi Tanaka, who beat compatriot Koki Watanabe 21-14, 11-21, 21-16 in the other semi-final. Tanaka had already removed top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the quarter-finals, coming from a game down to win 14-21, 21-13, 21-16. The final will be Antonsen's third of the year.

Malaysia's interest continues in doubles

With Zii Jia out, Malaysia's hopes on finals day rest with the new men's doubles combination of Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King, who beat Denmark's Christian Faust Kjaer and Rasmus Kjaer 21-14, 21-16 to set up a final against Chinese Taipei's Lai Po Yu and Tsai Fu Cheng.

For Zii Jia, the task now is to carry the Vantaa form into the rest of the season. A win over a player of Popov's standing is the kind of result that can help him climb the rankings and earn better seedings.

Key takeaways

• Anders Antonsen beat Lee Zii Jia 21-11, 15-21, 21-16 in 78 minutes in the Arctic Open semi-finals on 10 October.
• Zii Jia had beaten world No. 2 Christo Popov 21-11, 21-16 in the quarter-finals, his first top-10 win since December 2024.
• It was his first Super 500 semi-final since winning the 2024 Australian Open.
• Antonsen faces Japan's Yushi Tanaka in the final; Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King carry Malaysia's hopes in men's doubles.

FAQ

What was the score between Lee Zii Jia and Anders Antonsen? Antonsen won 21-11, 15-21, 21-16 in a 78-minute semi-final on Saturday 10 October.

Who did Zii Jia beat on the way to the semi-finals? His biggest win was a 21-11, 21-16 quarter-final victory over world No. 2 Christo Popov of France. He did not drop a game before the semi-final.

Who plays in the Arctic Open men's singles final? Anders Antonsen of Denmark and Yushi Tanaka of Japan, on Sunday 11 October.

Sources: Olympics.com, Flashscore, Jesselton Times, BWF, Portal Berita RTM