Shi returns with a smashing performance

Hitting cross-court drops to dictate the play before smashing his point home, Shi Yuqi looked like his fierce younger self again, as he propelled Team China to its 11th Thomas Cup win in Chengdu on Sunday.

Watched by a group of badminton legends, including two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan, Shi made a statement at the world men's team championship final on Sunday, punctuating his revival with a rout of world No 7 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in straight sets, giving the host a head start in its best-of-five showdown against Indonesia. Fans were reminded of the fearless youngster who, in his early years, drew comparisons with the mighty "Super" Dan.

A series of setbacks, including three surgeries and a suspension, had threatened to derail Shi's career before it really took off, but they simply proved to be bitter, character-building steps on the path to something great, as highlighted by his newfound momentum at the Thomas Cup.

Now healthy again, with his injured ankle and elbow fully healed, Shi picked up his scintillating pace on the court, winning all six singles rubbers and, in doing so, made a massive contribution to China's first Thomas Cup win in six years.

And it all came at the right time, with under three months to go before Shi embarks on his second Olympic journey in Paris.

"It's always a tough battle for every athlete to try and stay at the top level consistently. Ups and downs are just part of the business as pro athletes, and I am not exempt from that," Shi said of his struggles over the past few years, following his comprehensive 43-minute, 21-17,21-6 win over Ginting at the High-Tech Zone Sports Center.

"Mentally, I've become more mature and I'm much more motivated again with the Olympics approaching. I will cherish the opportunity (to compete at another Olympics) and go all out," said the 28-year-old Jiangsu province native.