One Taiwan pair cleared, another in the way for Pang Ron-Ee Wei

PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei, buoyed by their quarter-final appearance in the Singapore Open last week, cleared the first round of the Taiwan Open yesterday.

Pang Ron-Ee Wei defeated Taiwan pair Chen Xin-yuan-Yang Ching-tun 27-25, 21-13 in the first round to set up a second-round meeting against another Taiwanese combination and third seeds Lee Jhe Huei-Hsu Ya Ching tomorrow.

The duo, who were paired up after the Hanoi SEA Games in May, have had a decent run in four of the last five tournaments.

They reached the last 16 of the Indonesian Masters and this was followed by a quarter-final spot in the Indonesia Open last month.

After losing in the first round of the Malaysian Open and the second round of the Malaysian Masters, Pang Ron-Ee Wei reached the quarter-finals in Singapore last week. National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the pair must take their chances to go far and start aiming for titles as top pairs have given the Taiwan Open a miss.

“Pang Ron-Ee Wei have been improving but they need to take their chances. Top pairs are not playing in Taiwan and this is their chance to progress as far as they can,” said Rexy.

“They reached the last eight in Singapore. They should aim high and improve on their results, and if possible go all the way.”

Meanwhile Leong Jun Hao overcame two tough matches to survive the qualifiers but his main focus will be to avoid another first-round exit in the main draw today.

Jun Hao played two Taiwan players in the qualifying rounds. He beat Su Li-yang 21-9, 18-21, 21-12 in the first match and later edged past Liao Jhuo-fu 11-21, 22-20, 21-18 to make the main draw.

Having reached the quarter-finals of the Polish Open in March, Jun Hao was shown first round exits in the Orleans Masters, Italian International, Denmark Masters and Malaysian Masters.

He will meet India’s Subhankar Dey in his opening match today while compatriot Yeoh Zheng Zoe plays Chen Chi-ting of Taiwan.

RESULTS

(Malaysians unless stated)

FIRST ROUND

Mixed doubles: Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei bt Chen Xin-yuan-Yang Ching-tun (Tpe) 27-25 21-13.

QUALIFYING ROUND

Men’s singles

First round: Leong Jun Hao bt Su Li-yang (Tpe) 21-9, 18-21, 21-12; Kok Jing Hong bt Milan Dratva (Slo) 20-22, 21-10, 22-20; Chi Yu-jen (Tpe) bt Lim Chong King 21-18, 21-18.

Second round: Leong Jun Hao bt Liao Jhuo-fu (Tpe) 11-21 22-20, 21-18; Yu Sheng-po (Tpe) bt Kok Jing Hong 21-19, 21-10.