Time will tell as Hoo-Cheng make effort to move up ranks

PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin stayed on course to capture their first title together in the mixed doubles after reaching the semi-finals of the Malaysian International Challenge.

Pang Ron-Su Yin, who were only competing in their second tournament as a pair, fought hard to overcome teammates Jeremy Juan-Yap Ling 21-19, 13-21, 21-11 at the Arena Badminton Perak in Ipoh yesterday.

The former will play compatriots Faris Zaim-Yap Rui Chen for a place in the final.

“Pang Ron-Su Yin should be aiming to at least reach the final in this tournament. They should take full advantage of playing at home,” said national mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto.

Pang Ron-Su Yin had made their debuts in the World Tour Super 300 Korean Masters last week in Gwangju where they reached the second round before losing to teammates and world No. 10 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.

Nova believes Pang Ron-Su Yin should be given time to prove themselves before judging their potential as a pair.

“We can’t judge them yet as they have only started playing together,” said Nova.

“Let’s see their results in a few more tournaments first before assessing them.”

Meanwhile, the other semi-final will be between another Malaysian pair Wee Yee Hern-Ng Qi Xuan and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-chieh-Hsu Yin-hui.

Malaysians only

Men’s singles: Takuma Kawamoto (Jpn) bt Shaqeem Shahyar 12-21, 21-16, 21-12; Riki Takei (Jpn) bt Lee Shun Yang 21-16, 21-9.

Men’s doubles: Lau Yi Sheng-Lee Yi Bo bt Chia Weijie-Liew Xun 9-21, 21-16, 22-20; Kazuki Shibata-Naoki Yamaka (Jpn) bt Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing 21-17, 21-15.

Women’s singles: Wong Ling Ching bt Wang Pei-yu (Tpe) 21-18, 21-10.

Women’s doubles: Ng Qi Xuan-Yap Yee bt Felicia Xin-Flora Fong bt 21-15, 21-8; Chiu Pin-chian-Tung Ciou-tong (Tpe) bt Chan Wen Tse-Chong Jie Yu 21-15, 21-10.

Mixed doubles: Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin bt Jeremy Juan-Yap Ling 21-19, 13-21, 21-11; Wee Yee Hern-Ng Qi Xuan bt Low Han Chen-Chong Jie Yu 21-13, 21-16; Faris Zaim-Yap Rui Chen bt Johann Prajogo-Jun Yu Jia (Sin) 21-17, 21-10; Lin Yu-chieh-Hsu Yin-hui (Tpe) bt Choong Hon Jian-Go Pei Kee 21-13, 19-21, 21-19.