Youngster Tee Jing Yi has landed a place in the squad for the Uber Cup Finals after winning her first national title in Johor Baru last Sunday.

The 19-year-old upstaged fancied Lydia Cheah for her biggest career win.

The Uber Cup Finals will be held simultaneously with the Thomas Cup Finals at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from May 9-16.

National chief coach Rashid Sidek said that a place in the Uber Cup team was just reward for Jing Yi, who had worked very hard to win the title.

“Jing Yi may not have strong weapons in her game but she makes up with a high work rate. She shows high commitment in training too. By winning the national title, she has proved to us that she is good enough to represent Malaysia in the Uber Cup Finals.”

Jing Yi’s game took a nosedive in 2008 but the Penangite did not throw in the towel.

She worked hard in training and last year did well to help Malaysia regain the Asian junior team title.

“We hope that Jing Yi will continue to show good commitment in training and the youngsters would also emulate her,” said Rashid.

Besides Jing Yi, the other singles players expected to be in the Uber Cup squad are Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong and Lydia.

However, Julia and Lydia will have to get back into top form to add depth in the team.

Julia is coming back from a knee injury and needs to achieve good results in an international tournament to boost her confidence while Lydia has to be steadier in her game.

Courtesy of The Star