KUALA LUMPUR: The odds are heavily stacked against independent shuttler Goh Jin Wei in her bid to land a second medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games through the women's singles competition, which begins tomorrow.
World No 60 Jin Wei has a tough draw as she will likely face India's former world champion, P.V. Sindhu, in the last eight, provided she clears the opening rounds.
But if the two-time world junior champion's resurgence is anything to go by, there is certainly a glimmer of hope that she might be able to spring a surprise.
After all, it was her brilliant run this year, which won her a place in the team at the expense of 2019 Manila Sea Games champion S. Kisona.
Jin Wei, who played in yesterday's mixed team final against India, is the third highest-ranked player after Soniia Cheah (world No 39), who has not played since last year's Tokyo Olympics, and Kisona (No 53).
Although Jin Wei has not won a title, she has produced glimpses of her former self with a few upsets and giving top opponents a run for their money.
Jin Wei stunned world No 16 Zhang Bei Wen of the United States before stretching Taiwan's world No 2 Tai Tzu Ying to three games in the last 16 of the Malaysia Masters last month.
The Malaysian also made China's world 11 Wang Zhi Yi and Thailand's world No 7 Ratchanok Intanon sweat before losing at the Korea Masters (April) and Uber Cup Finals (May), respectively.
Jin Wei thanked the BA of Malaysia (BAM) for giving her opportunities to represent the country, despite being an independent player.
"Although I am just an independent shuttler, I feel honoured that BAM still offered me the opportunity to play in the Commonwealth Games," Jin Wei told Bernama.
"So, I believe I have to perform my best here."