World No 13 Lee Zii Jia got off to a winning start in the World Championships in Basel, Switzerland when beat Brazil’s Ygor Coelho 21-17, 21-15 in the first round in the men’s singles in 36 minutes.

 
The Kedahan who is seeded No 14, will next face China’s Lu Guang Zu who ousted Germany’s Kai Schaefer 21-12, 21-15. The win over the Brazilian was not smooth sailing for Zii Jia but he certainly needed the confidence booster in his world championships debut.
 
Malaysian professional Liew Daren, a bronze medallist at the last world meet in Nanjing, also moved into the second round when he used his experience and attacking game to defeat Thailand youngster Khosit Phetpradab 21-19, 21-13in 45 minutes.
 
Daren will meet Denmark’s rising star Anders Antonsen for a place in the third round. The fifth-seeded Dane moved into the second round without lifting the racquet when Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon withdrew to concede a walkover.
 
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Eei Yi ranked No 20, cleared the first hurdle in straight games 21-12, 21-19 win over Germany’s Bjarne Geiss-Jan Colin Volker in 31 minutes to set-up an all-Malaysian second-round match against Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong. V Shem-Wee Kiong drew a bye in the first round.
 
At the last edition Yew Sin-Ee Yi made the second round. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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