PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing continued to show that independent shuttlers can make a mark on the international stage too.
Yesterday, Pang Ron-Pei Jing stormed into the semi-finals by ending the gallant run of unseeded Marvin Seidel-Nguyen Thuc Phuong of Germany 21-17, 20-22, 21-18 at the Grand Arena Paris.
The German pair had dumped second seeds and one of the title favourites Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin of China 21-17, 14-21, 22-20 in second round on Thursday and also beaten compatriots Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie in the opener.
The world No. 31 Pang Ron-Pei Jing will next face six seeds Guo Xinwa-Chen Fanghui of China in the semi-finals.
It was their second semi-final appearance having also reached the same stage at last week’s Denmark Open. And the 28-year-old Pang Ron was estatic.
“I’m happy. It’s second consecutive semi-finals for me and I have never done this in my career, thanks to my partner but we will keep focusing for our next match,” said Pang Ron.
Competing in back-to-back tournaments is a formidable challenge for any athlete, but doing so without funding as professionals presents an entirely different set of hurdles.
Yet, Pang Ron said that these obstacles had done little to slow his momentum on the court.
“Really happy to come this far necause as an independent pair, we need to bear all the costs – hotels, flights and etc,” said Pang Ron, who left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in April to pursue an independent career.
His final appearance under the national setup was alongside former partner Cheng Su Yin at the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China.
Since turning independent, Pang Ron has quickly found success with Pei Jing.
In just six months together, the duo has already achieved significant milestones, finishing as runners-up at the China Masters last month and reaching the semi-finals at the Macau Open in June.
Pang Ron’s career-high ranking of No. 13, achieved with his former partner, is now well within reach.
Pang Ron-Pei Jing are not the only independent pair making waves in Paris.
Sixth seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have also advanced to the men’s doubles quarter-finals but they have a tough task against world No. 1 Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea.
The others who made it to the quarters are BAM pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, as well as Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who have assured a place in the semis after setting up an all-Malaysian quarter-final match-up.
