No letting up: Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin taking part in simulation matches during training for the Sudirman Cup. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin are determined not to be mere passengers in the national squad for the Sudirman Cup, which gets underway this Sunday in Xiamen, China.
For Pang Ron, this will mark his third appearance at the prestigious team event. He has previously won two bronze medals with different partners.
In Vantaa, he partnered Cheah Yee See and was Malaysia’s main bet in key matches, including the tie against England’s Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith, as well as the Group D decider against Japan’s Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino. They also featured in the quarter-final clash against Indonesia’s Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti.
However, things were different in Suzhou. Although listed alongside Teoh Mei Xing, they did not get to play a single match as Malaysia had brought along established pairs Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
This time around, Pang Ron-Su Yin know they must raise their game to impress the coaching panel, as they face stiff competition from the other two pairs, Soon Huat-Shevon and Tang Jie-Ee Wei if they hope to see action even in the group stage.
Still, Pang Ron knows earning a spot in the line-up won’t come easy, especially with the pair currently struggling to rediscover their form. Since their impressive runner-up finish at the China Masters last November, they have yet to deliver any standout performances this year.
“I felt happy when I found out I made the team, and I believe we have a strong squad,” said Pang Ron.
“Su Yin and I may be facing some issues at the moment, but we’re working hard to overcome them, and it’s clear to everyone what those issues are.
“After the China Masters, many pairs have started to take note of our abilities. They’ve been analysing our game closely, and now I can say it’s no longer easy to play against any opponent.”
The mixed doubles squad are shaping up to be one of Malaysia’s strongest departments at this year’s Sudirman Cup, alongside the men’s doubles line-up.
The men’s team will be spearheaded by top-tier combinations, including Asian champions Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 2 pair Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and rising duo Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun.
Malaysia will begin their Sudirman Cup campaign in Group C against France on April 28, followed by a clash with Australia on April 29, before wrapping up the group stage against three-time runners-up Japan on May 1.
Only the top two teams from the group will advance to the quarter-finals.
