Latest news with #PangRon-SuYin
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pang Ron-Su Yin end first-round curse in Japan
KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin showed signs of a long-awaited revival as they advanced to the second round of the Japan Open on Wednesday — ending a run of three consecutive first-round exits. The world No. 13 overcame a spirited challenge from American world No. 29 Presley Smith-Jennie Ga, winning 21-19, 12-21, 21-16 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. It marked only the fourth time this season that Pang Ron-Su Yin have progressed beyond the first round. The pair, who reached the China Masters final late last year, have struggled to replicate that form, with their momentum further hampered by an ankle injury suffered by Su Yin earlier in the season. Other than reaching the second round of the German Open and making quarter-final appearances at the Indonesia Masters and Orleans Masters, they have suffered five first-round exits this year. However, against the Americans, Pang Ron-Su Yin showed grit and flashes of their potential to pull through in a tight decider. They will next face China's world No. 2 Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin on Thursday. It was a strong day overall for Malaysia's mixed doubles department, with Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai also securing first-round wins. World No. 4 Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who reunited earlier this year after a brief split, needed just 29 minutes to beat Canada's Kevin Lee-Josephine Wu 21-15, 21-19. Since reuniting, the pair have reached the Indonesia Open semi-finals and will be hoping for a successful out in the Super 750 tournament. They next face Indonesia's world No. 14 Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu. Also off to a flying start were world No. 6 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, who cruised past Thailand's world No. 15 Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat — fresh off their Canada Open title — with a 21-15, 21-10 win in just 30 minutes. The independent pair will face Singapore's world No. 23 Terry Hee-Jin Yu Jia next. However, there was disappointment for world No. 34 Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien, who were beaten 21-9, 21-8 by Japan's world No. 24 Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara in the opening round.
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Rexy: Too many Malaysian pairs knocking each other out
KUALA LUMPUR: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky wants more Malaysian men's doubles pairs to break into the world's top 15 to avoid early-round clashes at major tournaments. At next week's Japan Open, world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will face compatriots and world No. 30 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi in the first round, while world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are up against world No. 23 Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King — another all-Malaysian showdown. Rexy said the issue, which risks halting the progress of lower-ranked pairs, was also highlighted by men's doubles head coach Herry IP. "Herry raised concerns about these all-Malaysian matchups. It's a waste to see two pairs knocked out early in Tokyo," said Rexy. "This happens because many BAM and independent pairs are now qualifying for Super 750 and Super 1000 events, which is a positive sign. "However, we need the lower-ranked pairs to break into the top 15 to avoid these clashes." Rexy pointed to the mixed doubles as a successful example of how improved rankings can help avoid early round encounters. When world No. 13 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin first teamed up in June 2023, they frequently faced world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. However, those meetings stopped once Pang Ron-Su Yin climbed into the top 15 this year. "We saw this with Tang Jie-Ee Wei and Pang Ron-Su Yin. They played each other a few times early on, but not anymore since the latter broke into the top 15," said Rexy. "Our back-up men's pairs must now step up, produce results, and boost their rankings to avoid these early exits against teammates." Malaysia have six pairs in the Japan Open men's doubles draw — the highest of any nation. Leading the charge are world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, followed by Aaron-Wooi Yik, Yew Sin-Ee Yi, Wei Chong-Kai Wun, Arif-Roy King and Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong.
New Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pang Ron-Su Yin hope to develop 'own weapons' against China's pairs
KUALA LUMPUR: Hard work is not enough, it requires belief. That's shuttler Cheng Su Yin's thought on whether she and mixed doubles partner Hoo Pang Ron can bridge the gap with the top Chinese pairs. Ranked world No. 14, Pang Ron-Su Yin have yet to win a World Tour title. The closest they came was at last year's China Masters, where they finished runners-up. That result had raised hopes of a breakthrough, but the pair have struggled for consistency since, bowing out early in six out of eight tournaments this year. Su Yin said China's mixed doublesdominance is not just because of techniques, but also great self-confidence which gives them an edge in crunch situations. "They really trust their shots. The quality of their shot-control is just on another level," said Su Yin. "They're confident in everything they do — and that makes a big difference." Su Yin said the key to beating the top Chinese pairs is not backing down and fight back with weapons of their own. "Make them feel like we, too, have our own weapons. Maybe that can shake their rhythm a bit." Pang Ron-Su Yin hope to win a tournament, even a Super 300 title would mean a lot at this stage, to build their momentum for the World Championships in August. They will compete in the Japan Open (July 15-20), China Open (July 22-27) and Macau Open (July 29-Aug 3).
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pang Ron-Su Yin 'not giving up on each other' despite rocky season
KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles shuttler Hoo Pang Ron insists he and partner Cheng Su Yin are sticking together despite a rocky start to the season. The world No. 14 remain committed to turning things around as they chase their goal of breaking into the world's top 10. Since being paired in November 2023, Pang Ron-Su Yin have shown flashes of brilliance, notably reaching the final of the China Masters Super 750 last year, their best result to date. But 2025 hasn't gone to plan. They've crashed out early in four of their first seven tournaments, including a first-round defeat at the recent Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China. Despite the rough patch, Pang Ron-Su Yin have been called up for the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen on April 27-May 4, joining world No. 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and the reunited world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. Pang Ron admitted they are still ironing out issues in their game, with support from national mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto. "We're facing some challenges right now, and it'll take time to sort them out," said Pang Ron. "After the China Masters, our game was exposed. "Opponents figured out how to counter us, so now we've got to improve our variety and mental toughness." Despite their current slump, Pang Ron remains upbeat and confident in the partnership. When asked if they had considered going their separate ways, he said: "Not at all. We'll sit down with each other and the coach to figure things out. "You never know. We might just reignite that spark. "Our goal of breaking into the top 10 is still within reach." The Sudirman Cup will mark Pang Ron's third appearance, while Su Yin makes her debut. Pang Ron famously delivered the winning point in Malaysia's 3-2 upset over Indonesia in the 2021 quarter-finals in Vantaa, Finland, with then-partner Cheah Yee See - a result that earned Malaysia its first Sudirman Cup medal since 2009. The team repeated the feat in Suzhou in 2023. "We're honoured to be part of this strong squad," he added. "If we get the chance to play, we want to prove ourselves."
