Born: January 8, 1981 in Guangzhou
Credentials: Team gold at 2006 Doha Asian Games, individual gold at 2005 and 2006 world championships
Why she'll win: Because her coach says so. Tall and lightning quick, Xie was overlooked for Athens in favour of eventual winner Zhang Ning. This set her on the road to better things, winning almost everything going until her form began to wane early this year. A nagging back injury and insufficient time to heal was blamed, but there were also suggestions her relationship with men's number one Lin Dan meant her focus wasn't purely on winning. Coach Li Yongbo has stood by her, and says she shouldn't be compared with Lin or Zhang. 'Her way of showing confidence is different from Lin or Zhang - Xie holds the passion inside,' he says. 'She doesn't shout or swing her fists, but she will step on the gold medal rostrum.'
Who can stop her: Wong Mew Choo (Malaysia), Zhu Lin (China), Wang Chen (Hong Kong)
Final: Saturday 16th