KUALA LUMPUR: The Arctic Open holds a special place in Lee Zii Jia's heart, and the men's singles shuttler was in fiery form as he stormed into the last 16 in Finland on Wednesday.

World No. 56 Zii Jia thrashed China's world No. 40 Dong Tian Yao 21-18, 21-14 in just 42 minutes at the Vantaa Energia Areena.

The former All England champion won the Arctic Open in 2023 and reached the last eight a year later.

The independent shuttler skipped the Super 500 event due to injury last year but overcame Finland's Kalle Koljonen in the qualifiers on Tuesday before ousting Tian Yao for a place in the last 16.

The fine run comes after his below-par performance at the Vietnam Open last month, where he lost to Taiwan's world No. 90 Wu Zhe Ying in the second round.