I agree. The physical build might give someone an edge during selection, but the racket still does the talk. I can see if down to the last 2 candidates, and 1 must go home, the taller one might win out. However, if a shorter player has a much better record than the taller opponents, she still has a safe spot in the team, just look at Gong Zhichao and Zhang Yawen.
Are u sure? I would think she is at least 160cm. She might look shorter because her body mass is quite thin.
IMO.. shorter players is better suit for Doubles event.. They can control the front court with their skills. where else ,playing in Singles, u needs certain height to move around all the corner with the good footwork..
YKH is only about 168-170cm tall, if I'm not mistaken. Ng Boon Bee was even shorter, 165 cm I think. I remember one INA WD player, was it Lili Tampi, who was supposedly under 5 feet tall. But Zhang Yawen surely is much taller than that. Gong Zhichao plays quite similar to Susi Susanti's style, and had loads of stamina like Susi and Wong Mew Choo.