The world's No. 1 Zhang Ning won her first match at the Beijing International Badminton Tournament at Beijing University of Technology (BUT) Gymnasium on Wednesday.

 

Zhang Ning, the Athens Olympics gold medalist, finished the lopsided match in 22 minutes with a 21-9 21-10 victory over Chinese teammate Wang Wanqi to easily cruise into the round of 16."The result is not very important. I am here to adapt myself to the court and the pain in my right leg gets better now. I feel excited as if the Olympic is coming," Zhang said.

 

The tournament, being held from October 10 to 14, is among a series of test events for Beijing 2008 Olympics.

 

A total of 119 athletes from Malaysia, Germany, Austria, Vietnam and China are competing in men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2007)