Hard at work: Wong Ling Ching training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara. — LEONG WAI YEE/The Stars
PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Wong Ling Ching’s encouraging form recently has pushed her closer to becoming the national No. 1 in the women’s singles.
Ling Ching jumped seven spots from No. 49 to No. 42 in the latest world rankings after making it into the quarter-finals in the Japan Masters and second round of the Australian Open recently.
The 22-year-old is now just one rung below the country’s current No. 1 K. Letshanaa, who maintained her position at world No. 41.
Though happy with her progress, Ling Ching’s main focus is on continuing her improvement and not on overtaking Letshanaa to become the national No. 1.
“I’m quite happy with my improvement,” said Ling Ching.
“I hope that I can be consistent and keep progressing step by step.
“For me, I want to move up the rankings but it’s not about becoming national No. 1. Letshanaa and I are both representing Malaysia.
“I want our country’s women’s singles to be at the top one day.
“It’s more important to be world No. 1 than national No. 1.”
Ling Ching is next aiming to break into the world’s top 32 rankings, which will guarantee her access into World Tour Super 750 and 1000 competitions.
The Sarawakian proved her potential to reach a higher level when she scored a sensational win over Canada’s world No. 14 Michelle Li in the Japan Masters second round.
The victory propelled Ling Ching into the last eight of a Super 500 tourney for the first time.
The breakthrough was the youngster’s biggest achievement so far in her career and followed a quarter-final finish in the Super 300 Canada Open in July.
Ling Ching also captured the Slovenian Open title in May and came second in the Malaysia Super 100 in October after going down to Japan’s former world champion Nozomi Okuhara.
On the key to her improvement this year, Ling Ching said: “The difference this year is I have been more patient. Last time, I tend to think too much about what I should do but this year, I just focus on training and enjoying my game in tournaments.
“Coach Iskandar (Zulkarnain Zainuddin) has also given me plenty of motivation.
“The win over Michelle has boosted my self-confidence and I hope to maintain my form.”
Ling Ching though acknowledged that she still has lots to do to close the gap to the top players in the world.
“When I was playing in Australia, it was my third tournament in a row and my fitness levels had dropped,” said Ling Ching.
“The explosiveness in my legs was gone and it was hard to play my own game.
“So, I need to improve my stamina.
“I also need to be more flexible tactically and mentally.”
Ling Ching’s next big assignment is the SEA Games from Dec 9-20 in Thailand.
The youngster will join Letshanaa, Siti Zulaikha Azmi and Eng Ler Qi in the women’s singles.
