Zii Jia earns top backhand recognition

Despite crashing out of the Canada Open semi-finals, Lee Zii Jia still managed to come away with a recognition for one of the top backhands in the tournament.

Lee’s backhand winner came in the deciding game at the semis against Riki Takei.

Instead of his usual backhand smash, the Malaysian delicately sent a crosscourt backhand drop shot which the Japanese had no answer to.

While Lee went on to lose that match despite holding a 16-13 advantage in the deciding game, he would have been happy with his overall performance.

That result in Ontario was his first semi-finals since the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he secured the bronze medal.

On the World Tour, he reached the last four for the first time since the 2024 Australia Open where he went on to win the competition.

Lee’s result also saw him rise to 54 on the world rankings.

Lee also took some time off after his North America outing to do some sight-seeing.

The men’s singles shuttler visited the home of basketball giants LA Lakers and enjoyed a game of basketball.