Orleans, France – Malaysia’s independent shuttlers, Lee Zii Jia and Cheam June Wei, had mixed results in their opening-round matches at the 2025 Orleans Masters Super 300.
🔹 Lee Zii Jia battled past Taiwan’s Chi Yu Jen in three games, while Cheam June Wei fell to Lin Chun-Yi, leaving Lee as the only Malaysian men’s singles player in the Round of 16.
Lee Zii Jia Secures First Win of 2025 Season
World No. 7 Lee Zii Jia, the top seed in men’s singles, edged out World No. 29 Chi Yu Jen in a tough three-game match, winning 17-21, 21-17, 21-17.
Highlights of Lee Zii Jia vs. Chi Yu Jen in 2025 Orleans Masters first round:
This marks his third consecutive victory over Chi and his first match win of the 2025 season. Up next, Lee will face India’s former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth in the second round.
Cheam June Wei Falls to Lin Chun-Yi
Meanwhile, Cheam June Wei, who advanced from the qualifiers, couldn’t overcome second seed Lin Chun-Yi, losing 20-22, 15-21.
Lin will next face India’s HS Prannoy, who edged out Taiwan’s Wang Tzu-Wei in a three-game thriller, 21-11, 20-22, 21-9.
Shock Exits: Loh Kean Yew, Ratchanok Intanon Knocked Out
- Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew (3rd seed) was eliminated in a major upset, losing 17-21, 9-21 to India’s World No. 48, Ayush Shetty.
- Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira stunned Thailand’s former World Champion Ratchanok Intanon, winning 22-20, 22-20.
- Taiwan’s Lin Hsiang Ti caused another upset, defeating China’s 3rd seed Han Yue 21-19, 7-21, 21-19.
Malaysia’s Men’s Doubles Struggles, Only One Pair Advances
Malaysia had five men’s doubles pairs competing in the opening round, but only Arif Junaidi / Yap Roy King managed to progress.
✅ Junaidi / Yap (World No. 18, 8th seed) survived a tough battle, defeating India’s Hariharan Amsakarunan / Ruban Kumar 17-21, 21-7, 21-17.
- Next Round: They will take on USA’s Chen Zhi Yi / Presley Smith, whom they have beaten once before.
🚨 Major Exits:
- Former World Champions Aaron Chia / Soh Wooi Yik (2nd seed) were stunned in straight games 18-21, 8-21 by China’s new pair Sun Wenjun / Zhu Yijun.
- Man Wei Chong / Tee Kai Wun (Malaysia) lost 16-21, 14-21 to Korea’s Kim Won Ho / Seo Seung Jae.
- Malaysia’s reigning junior champions Kang Khai Xing / Aaron Tai were knocked out by China’s former World No. 1 Liang Weikeng / Wang Chang, 13-21, 20-22.
Mixed Doubles: Malaysian Pairs Shine
✅ Top seeds Chen Tang Jie / Toh Ee Wei dominated their match, advancing with a comfortable straight-game 21-10, 21-15 win against Ashith Surya / Amrutha Pramuthesh of India. Chen / Toh will play Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto / Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja of Indonesia next.
Women’s Doubles: Malaysia’s Top Pairs Advance
✅ Pearly Tan / M. Thinaah (2nd seed) cruised past Taiwan’s Nicole Gonzales Chan/Chih-chun Lin 25-23, 21-8 to book a second-round clash against Korea’s Jeong Na Eun/Lee Yeon Woo.
✅ Go Pei Kee / Teoh Mei Xing continued their strong form, defeating Turkey’s Bengisu Ercetin/Nazlıcan Inci in straight games 21-19, 21-17.
What’s Next?
With Lee Zii Jia leading Malaysia’s charge, the Orleans Masters continues with second-round action. Can he build momentum ahead of the All England Open?
Stay tuned for more badminton news and updates from Orleans! 🏸🔥
