Pang Ron-Su Yin end first-round curse in Japan
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.
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