Chinese world number one Wang to miss Masters

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Chinese women's world number one Wang Yihan will skip next month's Super Series Masters finals in Malaysia and represent her country in the East Asian Games instead, Malaysian media reported on Friday.

Wang was the top qualifier for the prestigious season-ending event with five Super Series victories this year but would participate in the East Asian Games in Hong Kong as the dates overlapped, The Star online (www.thestar.com) said.

Wang would be replaced by compatriot and world champion Lu Lan, the paper said, after Chinese world number two Wang Lin also withdrew from the Masters event.

Defending champion Zhou Mi beat Wang Chen in an all Hong Kong final last year but both would also not feature due to their obligations to the East Asian Games, The Star online said.

Last year, China withdrew all its players from the inaugural event citing a hectic calendar and risk of aggravating injuries.

(Writing by Sanjay Rajan; Editing by John O'Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)