Hong Kong shuttler Yip Pui Yin has proven herself as a star to watch despite her final loss to her teammate in the Asian Games on Saturday.
The 19-year-old, who ousted China's Olympic champion Zhang Ning in the quarter-finals, succumbed to Wang Chen 21-14, 22-20 in the women's singles final.
Yip looked nervous early in the match with a series of unforced errors that granted the 30-year-old Wang a 9-5 lead.
She regained composure, using heavy kills and diving saves to close the gap, only for Wang to stage a late burst to take the first set 21-14.
Yip had taken a 9-3 lead in the second set until Wang fought back strongly to close it 11-13. The battle continued and was tied at 19-19 before Wang used a heavy smash to face her match point.
Yip saved one match point but netted the next two points to give Wang 22-20.
Despite the loss, Yi impressed the world with tough play and two spectacular upset victories.
She eliminated world No. 1 Zhang Ning in the quarter-finals and knocked out South Korea's Hwang Hye Yeon in the semifinals.
As a shuttler who has received systematic training only for two years, Yip will have a bright future.
"Yip's play is like men's. Her attack is very powerful and exerts a lot of pressure," said Zhang.
Yip knows clearly her problems.
"I can not calm down when the victory is nearing and I get nervous easily," said Yip, who caught attention by finishing second in Macau Open early this year.
Yip started her professional career with two bronze medals in the girls' singles and mixed doubles at the World Junior Badminton Championships in the Netherlands in February, 2005.
At 17, Yip represented Hong Kong at the Sudirman Cup world team championship in Beijing, 2005. She quit schooling in 2004 for professional training when she was a high school student at the Jockey Club Ti-I College in Fo Tan.
"Badminton was the first sport I learnt to play in primary school and I loved it instantly," she said.
"The Asian Games is really difficult for a young player like me, " Yip said. "I hope to gain some experience by playing at the highest level. I am happy with the silver medal although it is always sour to lose."