Third seed Lee Zii Jia came from a game down to beat Lee Chia-Hao on Saturday (15 June) to reach the men’s singles final of the BWF Australian Open 2024 in Sydney.

The Malaysian badminton star had lost twice in three meetings last year with the unseeded shuttler from Chinese Taipei, and the signs were ominous when the outsider won four consecutive points to lead 11-5 at the mid-game interval.

The world number 37 impressed with his shot selection and variety as he ran away with the opening game 21-10, but Lee Zii Jia raised his level in game two. From 5-4 down, he won seven of the next eight points to take an 11-6 lead into the mid-game break. Lee Chia-Hao was still showing flashes of inspiration, but could not bridge the gap as this year’s Thailand Open winner took the second game 21-15.

Despite showing signs of cramp, Lee Zii Jia was superb at the start of the decider as he raced into a 4-1 lead. The Malaysian number one withstood a quick fightback, showing his trademark power to lead 11-5 at the changeover. He then won the next four points to take full control before completing victory 10-21, 21-15, 21-10 in 56 minutes.

In his third final of 2024, Lee will face second seed Naraoka Kodai. The Japanese looked in trouble when he was 16-13 down in the opening game to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi, but won the next four points without reply to go in front. Naraoka then had to save a game point, but took the opener 22-20.

The second game followed a similar pattern with the left-hander leading 13-8 before Naraoka roared back to go 19-16 in front. This time, both men failed to convert game points before Naroaka prevailed 22-20, 23-21 to reach his first final of the year.

In the women’s singles, Japan’s second seed Ohori Aya went through to the final against Sung Shuo-Yun who was forced to retire injured early in the second game. Ohori will play Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo of Indonesia after she got past another player from Chinese Taipei, third seed Pai Yu-Po.

Indonesia’s Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan, will play number one seeds He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu in the men’s doubles final.

Finals day at the Australian Open is available to stream live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the Olympics mobile app, subject to territorial restrictions.