Rebecca Chiu Wing-yin will face a Goliath of a task to win her second gold medal at successive Asian Games when she comes up against world number one Nicol David of Malaysia in the women's singles final at the Khalifa Stadium today.
Chiu admitted yesterday that her task had got a hundred-fold harder since she beat David in a shock victory at the Pusan Games four years ago to win the gold.
'It will be hard for she has come a long way since then. She is the world champion and world number one after all. Considering that I have never beaten her, other than four years ago when I won gold, it looks almost impossible. But I will try my very best,' said Chiu.
Chiu, ranked 15th in the world, earned her place in the final with a 9-6, 9-1, 9-3 victory over Malaysian number two Sharon Wee. In the other semi-final, David disposed of Hong Kong's Christina Mak Pui-hin, also in straight games, 9-0, 9-1, 9-0. Both Mak and Wee will get bronze medals.
The ease with which David handled Mak only highlights the problems Chiu will face today as she attempts to turn her guaranteed silver into gold.
'I will have to slow the pace of the game down as much as I can. Nicol likes to play at a fast pace, and if this happens, I have no chance. I will try to keep the rallies long and keep her at the back of the court,' Chiu said.
