Close Call for Momota; Lee Zii Jia Falls
World No.1 Kento Momota had a close shave against Kidambi Srikanth, while All England champion Lee Zii Jia fell in straight games to Loh Kean Yew in the opening round of the YONEX French Open 2021.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Momota looked set to take the match in straight games as he had two match points at 20-18, but Kidambi refused to give in and forced the third game. The Indian was within sight of an upset, holding a 19-17 lead, before Momota won four points in a row and took the match at 21-18 20-22 21-19.
Lee Zii Jia fell in one of the upsets of the day to Loh Kean Yew. The Malaysian struggled to find rhythm, and although he closed down a 13-17 deficit in the first game to earn game point, it was Loh who surged ahead.
Lee fell away from midway in the second and his Singaporean challenger closed it out 24-22 21-14.