KUALA LUMPUR: Apart from wanting to remain in the world's top eight, Lee Zii Jia should aim high and win the Australian Open title this week in his final tournament before the Paris Olympics.
After reaching back-to-back finals and winning one title (Thailand Open), Lee Zii Jia narrowly lost to reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the quarter-finals of the Indonesia Open last week.
However, the 26-year-old is in a prime position to land his second World Tour title this season, following several high-profile withdrawals Down Under.
After their disappointing performances recently, Indonesia's world No. 3 Jonatan Christie and compatriot Anthony Sinisuka Ginting have opted to skip the Super 500 Australian Open in Sydney.
Other top players, namely China's Shi Yu Qi, Denmark's Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen and Kunlavut, have also given the tournament a miss.
Initially seeded third, world No. 7 Zii Jia should move into the second seed position, where he will likely face a qualifier in the opening round on Wednesday.
Zii Jia will likely face his first real test in the quarter-finals, where he is expected to meet India's H. S. Prannoy, who is currently struggling with form.
Other top players in the fray include Japan's Kodai Naraoka, Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen and Singapore's Loh Kean Yew, while the other Malaysian players in the men's singles main draw is Soong Joo Ven.
Former national junior coach Kwan Yoke Meng, who played a pivotal role in building Zii Jia's foundation, told Timesport that his former charge is on the right track for a good Olympic outing in Paris this July.
"Not to put him under any pressure, but I believe he is on the right track for Paris.
"The Australian Open is the last tournament before the Olympics, and I believe Zii Jia should remain in the top eight, which will secure him a favourable seeding at the Games.
"Now he also has a good chance to win the title, which is great, because it will only boost his confidence.
"So far so good I would say for Zii Jia. Just go out and give his best," Yoke Meng said.
Last year, Zii Jia reached the semi-finals before losing in three games to China's Weng Hong Yang.
