KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 8 Lee Zii Jia is the new Australian Open champion.
ZIii Jia, who has been enjoying a great run in form since the Thomas Cup last month, upset world No. 6 Kodai Naraoka of Japan 21-19, 11-21, 21-18 in the final on Sunday.
For the record, the Australian Open crown is Zii Jia's second title after the Thailand Open last month from three finals.
He was a finallist at the recent Malaysia Masters.
Zii Jia's impressive performance Down Under will not only bump him up the world rankings this week, but also sets the tone nicely for the Kedah-born as he gears up for his Paris Olympics assault next month.