Qi Xuan itching to get back to action at Uber Cup

PETALING JAYA: National women’s singles shuttler Eoon Qi Xuan can’t wait to play in the Uber Cup Finals in Bangkok next month.

Qi Xuan has started training again after recovering from a minor knee surgery last month.

She last saw action in the Asia Team Championships in Setia Alam in February where she helped the team qualify for the semi-finals to win the right to play in the Finals.

The team meet remains her only tournament participation so far this year.

“Now I already have 40% of my strength back. I will slowly build my endurance on court again,” said a determined Qi Xuan.

The 21-year-old is set to participate in her second Uber Cup Finals after making her debut last year in Aarhus, Denmark.

Qi Xuan caught the eye in Denmark with her spirited performances, especially when she stunned the higher ranked home player Line Christophersen in three games.

The world No. 126 might cross swords with none other than World No. 22 Christophersen again.

Denmark are in the same group with Malaysia, together with Thailand and Egypt.

“I will just play according to how I have trained and do my best on court,” said Qi Xuan when quizzed on the possibility of going up against the Danish player again.

“I have learned from my past participation in team tournaments that we should not let the spectators distract us. We should keep our focus on the match,” explained Qi Xuan.

Malaysia face a tough task to qualify for the quarter-finals as they have to overcome either Denmark or Thailand who are both higher-ranked.

But with a pumped-up Qi Xuan in the team, anything is possible.