HK shuttler wins first match at Singapore Open

China's former world number one badminton player Zhou Mi,now players for Chinese Hong Kong returns a shot to China's Wang Lin at Singapore badminton May 1,2007.[sina.com]

China's former world number one shuttler Zhou Mi, who now plays for Chinese Hong Kong team, won her first match at Aviva Open Singapore badminton on Tuesday morning.

She, joined the Hong Kong team earlier this year in hopes of competing in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, defeated Dimova Diana of Bulgaria 21-4 and 21-15 in her opener, advancing to the top 16 in the women's singles competition.

Unranked Zhou has to start from the qualifying round of Singapore Open after leaving the Chinese national team in 2005 due to lingering injuries.

"I will fight step by step and take it easy," Zhou, 28, told Xinhua after the match.

Singapore Open, the first tournament of the year that awards Olympic qualifying points which will count towards the Beijing Olympics, opened on Tuesday.