SEREMBAN: Newly-formed mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin got off to a good start in their Korean Masters opener but face a daunting task against familiar foes in the second round.
The unseeded pair combined brilliantly to overcome South Korea’s world No. 80 Wang Chan-Shin Seung-chan 23-21, 21-15 in 34 minutes at the Gwangju Women’s University Stadium yesterday.
Up next is a clash against their seniors and world No. 10 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (pic) today.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei hold a slight advantage as they hardly broke a sweat in their 21-9, 21-6 win over Taiwan’s No. 90 Chen Zhi-ray-Yang Ching-tun while Pang Ron-Su Yin battled hard to subdue their opponents.
Although the odds are heavily stacked against them, national coach Nova Widianto believes Pang Ron-Su Yin have a fighting chance to produce an upset.
“It was their (Pang Ron-Su Yin’s) first match as partners ... I think they performed okay,” said Nova.
“It was also Su Yin’s first mixed doubles match at a Super 300 tournament. Prior to this, her experience was limited to International Series and International Challenge (IC) competitions, so obviously she was quite nervous.
“It will be 50-50 against Tang Jie-Ee Wei because they have crossed paths regularly during training.
“However, Tang Jie-Ee Wei, being more experienced, are likely to perform better.”
Pang Ron was initially paired with Teoh Mei Xing but saw their 10-month partnership cut short due to their sub-par performance and results.
During their time together, they clinched two IC titles – Malaysian in December and Maldives (June) – and finished as silver-medallists in the Iran IC in January.
They, however, suffered early-round exits in nine out of 14 tournaments.
Meanwhile, men’s singles Soong Joo Ven, men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azriyn-Tan Wee Kiong and mixed doubles pairs Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow advanced to the second round after clearing their first hurdle.
However, there was no joy for men’s doubles pairs Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong, Boon Xin Yuan-Wong Tien Ci and mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See after going down in the first round.
