PETALING JAYA: Consistency is more important for women’s singles shuttler K. Letshanaa (pic) than her new status as the national No. 1.
Letshanaa overtook Goh Jin Wei to become the country’s top player in the women’s singles last month after making it into the quarter-finals in the US Open in Iowa.
The 21-year-old jumped five rungs from No. 45 to No. 40 in the rankings while Jin Wei is currently at No. 43.
After struggling for a breakthrough in the World Tour earlier in the year, Letshanaa showed good improvement when she reached the last eight twice in a Super 300 event in US and the Taiwan Open in May.
The youngster is now aiming to build on her encouraging showings and is determined to not let her No. 1 status in the country weigh her down.
“I don’t want to put undue pressure on myself after becoming Malaysia’s No. 1 in the women’s singles,” said Letshanaa.
“Most important for me is to keep improving and focusing on my performance in each tournament.
“I’m doing better on court. I have improved physically and I can give any player a tough fight.
“I hope to bring this momentum into my next tournament.”
Letshanaa will next compete in the Macau Open from July 29-Aug 3.
She is hoping to do well to move up the rankings faster and qualify for Super 750 and 1000 competitions.
“It will be a good opportunity and exposure for me if I can play in Super 750 and 1000 events,” said Letshanaa.
“I still have to work on my consistency, tactical aspects and mental game though.
“I’m not setting any specific targets for myself in Macau. The most important is to play my own game in each round.”
The draw for the Macau tourney will be released on July 22.
