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Tokyo tournament a step on road to Olympics for Zhou

Zhou Mi will take a step closer to the Olympics when she starts in the main-draw of a super series tournament for the first time at the Japan Open today.

In less than five months since representing Hong Kong, Zhou has improved her world ranking from outside the top 100 to 34. As a result, the 28-year-old does not have to play in the qualifiers of top-tier events.

'We all know she has the quality, and it is just a matter of time before she regains her top form,' said Hong Kong coach Chan Chi-choi. 'She is still a bit short of the form that made her one of the most formidable players on the world circuit.'

Zhou (pictured) arrived in Hong Kong in January under the government's Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, and played her first tournament for the SAR in late April when she won the Miami Pan-Am International. That was also her first international tournament since she last represented China in November 2005.

Zhou, however, faces a tough battle in the first round today as she takes on Japan number one Eriko Hirose, ranked 11th in the world.

'On paper, there is a big gap between the two in terms of world rankings, but Zhou is very experienced and if she can perform to her best, she should get through,' said the coach.

If she does make it to the second round, she comes up against Wang Chen, the world number four and Hong Kong's top player. Wang starts her campaign against Cheng Shao-chieh of Taiwan.

In the bottom half of the 32-player draw, Yip Pui-yin is seeking revenge on Zhu Lin of China.

Zhu beat the Hong Kong shuttler at the world championships in Kuala Lumpur. The mainlander went on to win the world title.

Chan Yan-kit and Ng Wei, meanwhile, will also start their campaign in the men's singles today. Chan will meet Richard Vaughan of Wales, while Ng faces a qualifier.

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