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SCMP Reporter

Zhou Mi hailed her return to the top of the world rankings  in the women's singles as a 'miracle' 18 months after coming out of retirement.
The Hong Kong star has defied the odds to leap above rival Lu Lan of China to take the top spot.
'I am not a young player anymore and I thought I was past my prime,' said the 29-year-old yesterday after returning from two Super Series tournaments in Europe.
'But having started from scratch with a world ranking of outside 200 to surge back to number one within such a short  space of time at my age is, nonetheless, a miracle.
'Although this is not a gold medal at a major games or a world title, it is recognition of  the hard work and effort I have put in over the last 18 months and will definitely boost my confidence.'
Zhou had been world number one twice before when starring for China, in 2002 and 2004, but the right hander, who was dropped from the China national squad in 2005  after a serious knee injury and moved to Hong Kong under the Quality Migrants Admission Scheme in early 2006, said she cherished her latest achievement.
'Being the world number one as a member of the national squad is nothing to boast about as China are a dominant force in world badminton.
'You have  the best players around you, the best training partners, the best support service, but it is certainly not the case in Hong Kong as you have to put in 110 per cent effort in order to achieve it,' she said.
'But having said that, I really want to thank Hong Kong for providing me with a new environment so that I can reach the top again.
'I am now enjoying the sport much more, having much more fun but with less pressure than  when I was with the China team.'
Zhou started playing for Hong Kong in April 2007, but it was not until this year that she  hit top form  by winning two Super Series  titles and reaching the final on three other occasions. She has defeated players from the mainland repeatedly on her the way to achieving these successes.
But Zhou said being dropped from the China national squad in 2005 wasn't a motivating factor.
'I understood their decision at that time because they had their plans for the 2008 Olympic Games when China would be the host while I was suffering from a serious injury.
'What I have done and will do here is just prove to myself that I can still play badminton at the highest level,' she said.
Hong Kong coach Chan Chi-choi was more than delighted to see his charge reach the world's summit.
'When she  first came to Hong Kong, many people told me that she was over the hill and could never reach her peak again,' said the coach. 'But Zhou has proved them all wrong. She  has a strong determination to win and is always focused on  court.
'Once we helped her get over her injuries, she worked extremely hard and made herself one of the most formidable players on  tour again, though I would say we haven't seen the best of her yet.'
With the ranking in the bag, Zhou has set her sights on becoming world champion next year.
'I lost in the final in the 2001 world championships and the semi-finals in 2003. In 2005 when I represented China for the last time at the world event, I was ousted in the first round.
'I really want to make up for that loss  at the worlds again  next year.'
You're my number one
Zhou Mi is the world's top shuttler again, a far cry from when she arrived in Hong Kong ranked outside the top:  200



Comeback queen Zhou savours ranking 'miracle'