Malaysian Lee advances in front of 'crazy' Olympic badminton crowd

Lee Zii Jia, bidding to become Malaysia's first Olympic badminton gold medallist, blocked out a "very crazy" Paris crowd on Thursday to beat his French opponent and book his place in the men's singles quarterfinals.

Seventh seed Lee beat world number 20 Toma Junior Popov 21-13, 24-22 in a fervent atmosphere at La Chapelle Arena to set up a last-eight clash with Denmark's Anders Antonsen.

Lee said he had to work hard to maintain his composure and not let the crowd "affect my focus".

"The crowd here is definitely very crazy," he said.

"Popov played a very good match today. I've played him a few times and he is in his best condition now, definitely."

Popov had booked his place in the knock-out round by winning both of his group games, including an upset victory over Indonesia's ninth seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.

He said the crowd had been "really motivating and helpful" but he had no regrets about bowing out of the competition.

"How do I feel? Just relief," he said.

"It's done, everything is done, no more pressure, no more things to think about.

"Just enjoy the holidays a little bit because I need some," he added.

Lee Chong Wei took silver in three consecutive Olympics but Lee Zii Jia shrugged off comparisons with the Malayasian great.

"He can't be replaced, he is a legend," he said.

"All of his achievements are incredible and unbreakable."

India's Lakshya Sen also advanced after beating countryman HS Prannoy 21-12, 21-6.

Sen will face Taiwan's Chou Tien-chen in the quarterfinals.

"It was a good match, playing him on the biggest stage," Sen said of beating Prannoy.

"It was an emotional match as well, with Indians playing against each other."

Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn set up a quarterfinal clash with China's No 1 seed Shi Yuqi after beating Japan's Kenta Nishimoto 16-21, 21-14, 21-12.

Singapore's Loh Kean Yew will face Denmark's defending champion Viktor Axelsen after beating China's Li Shifeng 23-21, 21-15.