PETALING JAYA: Could the Korean Open be the tournament where Lai Pei Jing finally ends her nearly four-year wait for another title?
It was at the same tournament in 2022 that Pei Jing last tasted success, winning the mixed doubles crown with her former partner Tan Kian Meng.
Now, with new partner Hoo Pang Ron, the 33-year-old has another chance to end her title drought, although a tough challenge awaits them in Yeosu.
The pair, who have been enjoying a fine run of form in recent weeks, will face China’s world No. 2 Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin in today’s quarter-finals.
Their coach Ameer Amri Zainuddin is hoping for Pang Ron-Pei Jing to go all the way, but admits it will be a difficult task, especially with the Korean Open marking their fifth tournament in five consecutive weeks.
Apart from getting their tactics right, Pang Ron-Pei Jing will also need to overcome the physical and mental demands of their packed schedule, having reached at least the semi-finals in three of their last four tournaments.
Their only early exit during that stretch came at the Arctic Open in Finland, where they bowed out in the first round.
“Of course, I hope they can win the title, but what matters most is that they are playing at their best.
“I’m not there with them and I have yet to find out how they are feeling physically at the moment, especially as this is their fifth tournament in as many weeks.
“I hope they can remain strong and consistent because if they can maintain that, I believe anything is possible,” said Ameer, who is currently in Kuala Lumpur.
Pang Ron-Pei Jing came close to winning their first title together at the French Open two weeks ago but fell short against China’s Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping in the final.
They kept their hopes of ending the drought alive yesterday after cruising past South Korea’s Jin Sung-ik-Lee Seung-hee 21-8, 21-15 in just 32 minutes to reach the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, fellow Malaysians Chen Tang Jie-Chan Wen Tse saw their campaign come to an end after losing 7-21, 13-21 to China’s third seeds Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi.
SECOND ROUND RESULTS
(Malaysians only)
Men’s doubles: Chia Weijie-Teo Ee Yi bt He Zhi-wei-Huang Jui-hsuan (Tpe) 21-9, 21-19; Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bt Chen Zhi-ray-Lin Yu-chieh (Tpe) 24-22, 21-12.
Women’s singles: An Se-young (Kor) bt K. Letshanaa 21-10, 21-12.
Mixed doubles: Cheng Xi-Zhang Chi (Chn) bt Chen Tang Jie-Chan Wen Tse 21-7, 21-13; Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing bt Jin Sung-ik-Lee Seung-hee (Kor) 21-8, 21-15.
