Zii Jia fights to the end but Antonsen denies him first final of 2026

KUCHING: He may have lost the semi-finals match, but Lee Zii Jia gave us plenty to believe in.

There was hunger, determination and that familiar refusal to give in as Zii Jia pushed Denmark’s Anders Antonsen through three hard-fought games before falling 11-21, 21-15, 16-21 in 76 minutes at the Arctic Open semi-finals on Saturday (Oct 10).

The opening game slipped away, but Zii Jia fought his way back into the match, taking the second before pushing Antonsen deep into the decider.

And then there were the smashes.

Time after time, that signature Zii Jia power came through again – the kind of shots that brought back memories for fans who have followed him at his best.

After everything he has endured through injury, setbacks and early exits, this felt like a reminder of what is still there.

The hunger never left. Neither did the fight.

His first final of 2026 will have to wait, but there was enough in this run – and enough of the old Zii Jia – to believe there is more to come ahead of his journey to LA28.