How Koki Watanabe DESTROYED Lee Zii Jia at the 2024 China Open

In the round of 32 at the 2024 China Open, Lee Zii Jia has an unexpected outcome against the lower-ranked athlete from Japan, Koki Watanabe. From being 8-0 up in the first game, to losing the first 21-15, and being down 20-2 in the second, many fans wonder, "Is this really the performance of an Olympics bronze medalist?" In this video, we will explain some key weaknesses of Lee Zii Jia's game, as well as some things Koki Watanabe did very well.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:40 Defense
3:29 Too Passive
4:36 Playstyle
7:47 Outro

Music:
Track: JVNA - Taking It Slow [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.

[YyyPppTtt]

Lzj said he hasn’t fully recovered. Is it related to his weird defensive stance? But his dangerous shots are disappearing anyway. Lzj in all England 2021 is a monster

[justisebruno]

I already said he’s way slower after he gained weight, his footwork it’s smooth since the start, bronze medal is the highest achievement he can get in the Olympics

[djstrb]

He's clearly not playing well. It could be an injury, tiredness or ilness. It's not that Watanabe had an amazing strategy, LZJ didn't play well. At that level, even if you are 10% down, you can't win.

[abhianikurapati]

I always felt LZJ only needed tactical improvement for his game and continue the rest of the training part. I didn't like his new coach touching his stroke action. Infact now I feel he's tactical a bit better but lost most of his strokes, defence and slices etc. (the main aim of the new style is to keep shots deceptive, but u can do it with the conventional stroke too. But new style u sacrifice ability to generate power. which I don't like at all from him)

[ben]

i just think he is not in it to compete, probably doing it for the sponsors. A lot of criticisms before Olympics but mostly died down after winning bronze. At this level I do think he should be ready to perform and act professionally and give his best out there. It is not about losing, but how you lose matters. Nobody expects you to win each time.

[LeKobes]

LZJ definitely my fav player for the next gen players in badminton. His main problem is consistency nothing else

[RMASUPERFLY]

LZJ must have a mental conditioning coach. It might be a head problem too. It helped Axelsen. Might be what LZJ needs to be consistent.

[justmemes]

Thank you for the analysis keep up this content quality and soon the badminton world will follow you

[rosesofea]

Lee zii jia & shi yuqi need to take some rest from badminton, both totally underperform after olympics, post olympics injuries, they’re great player, attacking & explosive, many top rank players early exit at China open s1000, pray for great comeback soon ❤

[DmitriPakhomov]

I guess he is still relaxing after winning the olympic bronze. I would rate it higher than even All England title. And also it was 3 years of searching for his game losing lots of games being a favourite. So it makes much more sense to compare his current form to what was prior to Olympics. But he will return to his better form just give him some time. Look at the other medalists. Even Axelsen loses in the first round. Could you compare his 2 matches with Lei by the way?

[Absolutkmh]

Lzj had random sores even with the lightest exercises done. As u can see he did well the first half of the first set (8-0 and 9-1) and started dropping off, leading to 13 all thus losing. To not push his body further he probably decided to give up the match itself, hence 2-21.

[Rinko]

How the hell did you know if someone flat foot... you're the best!

[alsultanmingkabawi]

*The actual reason why LZJ's performance going destroyed is because he considers all the matches to be played as an inconvenient burdens to him that disturbs his mental. No matter how long he go for a rest, it won't change anything! This is all about mental and psychology warfare!*

*The best way is, LZJ should enjoy every match. Face each match with a calm and happy mood. He needs to think every game is something very fun. If he continues to think negatively, it will continue to go damaged even worse!*

*One more thing is that, he doesn't have a really strong sparring partners outside BAM...*

[hallriihan]

congratulations lee zii jia break are world single badminton. we proud of you. salute 😎

[KamKwongLam]

Lee"s meltdown was so quick and incredible, especially because he opened up with 8/0 lead and ended up 2/21 for second set. The longest losing streak was 15 points. Not a matter of skill. Simply lacked fighting spirit. Little attacking play whether in front or behind. His coach should be most embarrassed.

[algoagogo]

I find most top 15 players completely passive and have a low average level, but can play like top 5 players.
Player A can lose 21-5 one week against player B, then win 21-5 vs the same player the next week.

I feel only a few top players really work to improve. The others just feel confident with their average level and we don't feel they try to improve their weaknesses, like Axelsen did.

Antonsen, LZJ, Shi Yu Qi, Ginting, Christie, Vittidsarn, Loh, are all able to play like top 1-3 players but are too inconsistent most of the time. No one can never guess at which level they will play before every match...Which leads to Axelsen winning titles most of the time.

[ayazahmed]

By looking at these players who plays their good some day and not some day I realise how tough, consistent, and proper player was Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan.

[VezoloMike]

FYI after 2021 he left national team. no ones has the power to ctrl or train him . he became independant and gain full ctrl of himself. this is wht u can expect without intensive training and torturing from national team.

[adamibrahim]

LZJ is too heavy and bulky and this contributes to his poor footwork and reaction. He needs to lose about 5-10kg to feel lighter on his feet.

He also needs to improve his mental strength as he gives up too easily.

He needs to learn how to change his game midstream when things are not going his way. In that sense he is too one-dimensional making it easy for opponents to counter his game.

[thefallenarm]

Not sure defense gesture of LZJ and Momota can be compared due to their physical difference.
On the LZJ example, he clearly goes on his left, taking a bad option on the hit, not before.