Zii Jia set to relive 'painful clash' with Shi Feng
Now, the Malaysian is set to script an emotional comeback at the Paris World Championships from August 25–31 against the fourth-seeded Shi Feng in a potential second-round clash. Shi Feng holds a 4-2 head-to-head record.
The injury limited Zii Jia to just two tournaments this year — he reached the Orleans Masters quarter-finals and lost in the All England first round in March. His top 10 world ranking also suffered, dropping to 52nd.
Zii Jia begins his campaign in Paris with a tricky first-round clash against South Korea's world No. 38 Jeon Hyeok Jin.
Datuk Rashid Sidek said Zii Jia must live with the expectations of his fans at the World Championships.
"Zii Jia's fan base is very big, and there will be high expectations on him. Like it or not, he has to face this situation in his comeback," said Rashid.
"It's good to see Zii Jia finally back on court, but things won't be easy in a major tournament. Every round is going to be difficult for him.
"Hyeok Jin and Shi Feng are tough opponents, but Zii Jia must keep an open mind and be ready to accept either victory or defeat.
"Nobody knows his current level except for himself and his coach (Yeo Kay Bin), and it will be interesting to see how he fares in Paris.
"It will be a huge boost if he beats Shi Feng, but it's not the end of the world if he loses."
World No. 25 Cheam Jun Hao is the other Malaysian in the men's singles, where he begins his campaign against Swiss world No. 147 Tobias Kuenzi.
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