PETALING JAYA: Hoo Pang Ron may be older by five years to mixed doubles teammate Cheng Su Yin, but sometimes it’s she who takes the lead on court.
Ahead of their first Malaysian Open appearance together next week, the 26-year-old Pang Ron isn’t shy to acknowledge the fact that it’s not always him who leads the pair in matches due to his seniority and experience.
The 21-year-old Su Yin, he’s proud to say, is capable of stepping up when the going gets tough.
“We are both on court together, we’re partners. It’s not just me who has to be the leader all the time.
“When I don’t perform well, Su Yin is the one who has to take charge and give me the confidence to perform. We both support each other,” he said when met at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) yesterday.
The pair, who recently moved up the ranks to world No. 20, will be taking on Taiwan’s Ming Che-lu-Hung En-tzu in the opening round of the Super 1000 tournament from Jan 7-12 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Pang Ron said they are staying humble heading into the tournament and are not looking too far ahead just yet.
“We are taking it step by step and not thinking far. We want to focus on each match and not underestimate any of our opponents,” he said.
Pang Ron-Su Yin are currently the country’s fourth-best pair after Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (No. 5), Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (No. 6), and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (No. 19).
They will all be gunning to end the country’s 60-year wait for a champion at the Malaysian Open, as the last pair to win the competition were Teh Kew San-Ng Mei Ling in 1965.
Su Yin added that despite their rapid rise in performance, there is much to be improved as facing compatriots will be a challenge in tournaments.
“It’s never easy nor is it hard, but it is tougher compared to other opponents because we train together and we know each other’s gameplay.
“That’s the challenge sometimes but we will surely do our best,” she said.
