After a prolonged absence from the badminton court, all eyes are on Malaysian star Lee Zii Jia as he makes his highly anticipated return at the 2025 BWF World Championships. It has been a challenging year for the former All England champion, who has been sidelined since March after sustaining an ankle injury at the All England Open. His return to the global stage in Paris presents a compelling narrative, but the question on everyone’s mind is: can he overcome the rust and a challenging draw to go deep in the tournament?
A Tricky Opening Match
The draw has not been kind to the Malaysian shuttler. In the first round, Lee Zii Jia will face South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin. While Lee holds a commanding 3-1 head-to-head record against the Korean, their last encounter at the 2024 Thailand Open was a tight affair in the first game, which Lee won 22-20 before taking control in the second with a 21-7 victory.
However, past results can only tell us so much. Lee’s long layoff due to injury adds a layer of uncertainty to this matchup. His match fitness, movement, and overall rhythm will be put to the test. Jeon, a tough and persistent opponent, will undoubtedly look to exploit any signs of weakness. It will be a true battle of wills, and Lee’s ability to shake off the rust will be the key to his progression.
A Looming Chinese Challenge
If Lee can navigate past the tricky first round, his path becomes even more daunting. The projected second-round opponent is none other than the fourth seed from China, Li Shifeng. The head-to-head record between these two players stands at 2-4 in favor of Li, highlighting the formidable challenge he poses. Li Shifeng is known for his consistent and powerful all-around game, making him a difficult opponent for anyone, let alone a player returning from a long injury layoff.
Their last encounter at the 2024 BWF World Tour Finals offered a glimmer of hope for Lee’s fans, as he was in a winning position before the match concluded. This suggests that while Li is a tough opponent, he is not invincible. The potential for an upset exists, but it would require Lee to be at the top of his game, a feat that is far from guaranteed given his recent history.
The Projected Path to the Top
The road doesn’t get any easier for Lee Zii Jia. Based on the tournament’s seeding and projected path, a victory against Li Shifeng would likely set up a Round of 16 clash with another Chinese player, the 11th seed Lu Guangzu. A win there would potentially lead to a quarterfinal showdown with Kodai Naraoka of Japan. In the semifinals, he could face the formidable world No. 1 Shi Yuqi, with a dream final against the defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
This hypothetical path underscores the immense challenge that awaits Lee Zii Jia. It is a gauntlet of the world’s best, with each round presenting a new, and in some cases, more difficult opponent than the last. The sheer mental and physical resilience required to overcome such a draw is immense, and it will be a true testament to Lee’s character and dedication.
Conclusion
Lee Zii Jia’s return at the 2025 BWF World Championships is a story of hope and determination. While the odds may seem stacked against him, with a difficult draw and the lingering effects of a long injury break, anything is possible in the world of badminton. His first-round match against Jeon Hyeok-jin will be crucial in setting the tone for his campaign. If he can overcome that initial hurdle and rediscover his winning form, he has the potential to shake up the men’s singles draw and prove once again why he is one of the most exciting players in the sport. The unpredictable road ahead is set, and the badminton world will be watching with bated breath to see how far the Malaysian star can go.