Lee Zii Jia reached the last 16 of the HYLO Open 2026 after overcoming a high fever and vomiting that had forced him to visit a hospital just a day before his opening match in Saarbrücken, Germany. The Malaysian men's singles shuttler refused to surrender, defeating Singapore's Jason Teh 21-16, 19-21, 21-17 in a gruelling 59-minute contest on Wednesday, October 28.
For the former All England champion, the victory was about more than the scoreline. Ranked world No. 42, Zii Jia admitted after the match that he had endured a difficult period physically and was relieved to make it through a contest that tested his determination as much as his badminton.
Lee Zii Jia Reveals Hospital Visit Before Hylo Open Match
Image Source: Twitter
Zii Jia disclosed after his victory that he had been unwell enough to seek medical attention before stepping onto the court.
Actually, yesterday I went to the hospital. I had a high fever and vomited as well. However, I just didn't want to surrender, he told Badminton Europe after the match.
He also explained why his emotions were so visible at the end of the contest. The Malaysian had pushed through a difficult physical spell to secure his place in the next round, making the victory particularly meaningful.
His performance came with an important caveat: winning the match did not necessarily mean he had recovered fully. His physical condition and ability to recover before his next fixture could prove decisive in the remainder of his campaign.
How Zii Jia Defeated Jason Teh in Three Games?
The match against Teh, ranked world No. 33, developed into a closely fought battle rather than a straightforward victory for the Malaysian.
Lee Zii Jia
Malaysia · World No. 42
Final Result: 2-1
Jason Teh
Singapore
Game 1: 21-16
Game 2: 19-21
Game 3: 21-17
Match duration: 59 minutes
Zii Jia took the opening game 21-16, but Teh responded in the second, winning 21-19 to force a decider. With the match hanging in the balance, the Malaysian managed to close out the third game 21-17 and avoid an early exit from the tournament.
The result also allowed Zii Jia to build on the confidence he had gained during his recent European campaign. His ability to navigate a three-game contest while feeling unwell will be remembered as a key feature of his opening-round performance.
Arctic Open Run Had Already Boosted Zii Jia's Confidence
The HYLO Open comes after an encouraging performance at the Arctic Open in Finland earlier this month, where Zii Jia reached the semi-finals.
That run included a straight-games victory over France's Christo Popov, then ranked world No. 2 in the report covering the tournament. Zii Jia eventually lost to Denmark's Anders Antonsen in the semi-finals, but the performance offered signs that his competitive form was improving.
For a player who has endured a difficult period disrupted by injuries and inconsistent results, another strong tournament showing could help rebuild momentum. However, the latest illness presents a separate challenge: maintaining form depends on being physically ready to compete, not simply finding confidence on court.
Zii Jia had also drawn inspiration from South Korean singer IU, whose music he mentioned on Instagram during his HYLO Open campaign. The personal motivation offered another glimpse into how he was trying to stay positive while navigating a difficult week.
Kodai Naraoka Awaits Zii Jia in the Last 16
Image Source: Twitter
The next challenge is Japan's Kodai Naraoka, who was listed as world No. 7 in reports published on October 28. The pair are scheduled to meet in the last 16 on Thursday, October 29.
Their reported head-to-head record stood at 3-3, setting up an evenly balanced contest on paper. Naraoka, a consistent presence among the world's leading men's singles players, will present a different test from the one Zii Jia faced against Teh.
For the Malaysian, the immediate priority will be recovery. His win against Teh demonstrated determination, but another demanding match could be difficult if the fever and its effects have not subsided.
A win over Naraoka would give Zii Jia another chance to extend his run at the Super 500 and build on the encouraging signs from his recent semi-final appearance in Finland. For now, reaching the last 16 after a hospital visit is an achievement in itself, but his next match will reveal how much he has recovered.
FAQ
Why did Lee Zii Jia visit the hospital before the HYLO Open?
Zii Jia said he went to the hospital the day before his match because he had a high fever and had vomited.
Did Lee Zii Jia win his match against Jason Teh?
Yes. Zii Jia defeated Singapore's Jason Teh 21-16, 19-21, 21-17 in 59 minutes to advance to the last 16.
Who will Lee Zii Jia face in the next round?
Zii Jia is scheduled to face Japan's Kodai Naraoka in the last 16 of the HYLO Open on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
What was Lee Zii Jia's recent result at the Arctic Open?
He reached the semi-finals of the Arctic Open in Finland earlier in October before losing to Denmark's Anders Antonsen.
Can Lee Zii Jia continue his HYLO Open run despite his illness?
His progress will depend partly on how well he recovers before his next match. Although he beat Teh despite feeling unwell, his condition ahead of the Naraoka contest remains an important factor.
