23-04-2025
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."
