YIHAN: CHINA WILL REGAIN SUPREMACY IN WOMEN’S SINGLES

GENTING HIGHLANDS: Former world No. 1 Wang Yihan believes that it’s only a matter of time before China’s women’s singles shuttlers will rise again.

China’s women used to dominate the singles scene, with the likes of Yihan, Li Xuerui and Wang Shixian holding fort. But, of late, the likes of Spain’s Carolina Marin, Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying and Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon have managed to break their stranglehold.

At the 2015 World Championships in Jakarta, China failed to win a medal in women’s singles for the first time since making their debut in 1983.

And it’s gone from bad to worse for the Chinese as they also failed to defend their Olympic gold for the first time in 20 years in Rio de Janeiro last year.

They also finished without any medal after Xuerui withdrew from the bronze medal playoff because of injury.

But the 29-year-old Yihan, who retired from the national team with Shixian after the Olympics, insists that China’s dwindling fortunes in the women’s singles are about to end.

“We are going through a tough time, but mark my words ... China will rise again (in the women’s singles),” said 2011 world champion Yihan.

“Xuerui (world No. 8) and Sun Yu (world No. 4) are still around and will play the leading roles.

“What excites me, though, is that the group of youngsters coming through the ranks, such as 19-yearold He Bingjiao (already a two-time Superseries winner) and 18-year-old Chen Yufei (reigning world junior champion).

“These two are fantastic shuttlers. In fact, they are way more talented and better than us when we were at their same age.

“Give them time and they will soon be among the world’s best.”

Yihan’s debut with Petaling BC in the SS Purple League ended with a 7-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-2, 7-11 loss to compatriot Deng Xuan of Petaling Jaya BC in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

It was Yihan’s only appearance as she played no part in her team’s fifthsixth placing match against Ampang Jaya BC yesterday.

“I want to say sorry to everyone in the team for failing to play my part in the defeat,” said Yihan.

“Still, it was a nice experience playing in the Purple League for the first time ... I’m looking forward to returning.”