Liu Shiwen keeps her focus on qualifying for the Rio Olympics
The Chinese paddler is keeping one eye on qualifying for Rio Games at the world championships in Suzhou
In her previous three world championships campaigns, Liu's best finish was runner-up at the last event in Paris in 2013, with two bronze medals in previous competitions.
The world number two was a strong favourite to make it to the 2012 London Olympic Games, where the Chinese women were virtually guaranteed gold, but in the end veteran Guo Yue was preferred.
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Now 24, the Guangdong native is working hard to avoid another disappointment.
"Although these world championships are not a direct selection for the Rio Games, they will play an important role in deciding the squad," said the head coach of Guangdong's team, Ma Lin, men's singles champion at Beijing 2008.
"Her opponents in Suzhou are pretty tough, but as national team head coach Liu Guoliang has said, the draw is only a draw, but it is the player who has to play. A bad draw can still be strong motivation to push the player to fully exercise her potential and it's not a bad thing.
"Liu can hardly complain about the draw as she is not the Olympic champion nor the defending world champion.
"She just needs to fight her way in and leave the pressure to the other players who are in a stronger position."
Liu has been drawn to meet compatriot Zhu Yuling in the quarter-finals, continuing a rivalry that began at the Asian Games final in Incheon last year when Liu beat Zhu 4-0 to win the singles title. The duo met two months later in the world championships selection event and Liu struggled to win 3-1.
Liu was the first player in China's team to clinch a berth in Suzhou with four wins in a row in the selection. China have six women's singles players here, including reigning Olympic champion Li Xiaoxia and runner-up Ding Ning.
Liu can hardly complain about the draw as she is not the Olympic champion nor the defending world champion
Should Liu beat Zhu in the quarters, Li then world number one Ding would likely be next.
"I won't think too much about the draw as it is quite tough," said Liu. "I have to take it match by match especially in the opening stages where I need to get into the tournament as quick as possible."
Liu has been given a bye in the opening round and will not play her first match until tomorrow. Both Hong Kong's Doo Hoi-kem and Tie Yana have been drawn in the same bracket as Liu.
Hong Kong's Jiang Tianyi and Lee Ho-ching made no mistake with two consecutive wins in the opening stages of the World Championships in Suzhou last night.
The second seeds in the mixed doubles beat Simon Gauzy and Carole Grundisch of France in the second round 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 and 11-8.
“We had a tough first round but the victory has given us more confidence in the following match which we could get into the match very quickly,” said Lee. “The French pair did not combine very well as a doubles combination as they lack detail in handling the ball.”
Earlier in the opening stage, they were given troubles after struggling to beat Panagiotis Gionis and Aikaterini Toliou of Greece 4-2, although the score did not surprise coach Li Jing.
“It was a bit difficult in their first game but this is normal as they needed time to get used to the environment of such a big tournament,” said Li. “It would be better to overcome tough matches in the opening stages as it can give them extra momentum to carry on.”
In another match, Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kem beat Rodrigo Gilabert and Ana Condina of Argentina 4-2 in the second round.
