GOLD COAST: Vivian Hoo has proved that she can partner any player in the national team and still do well in international competitions.
The 28-year-old and her new partner Chow Mei Kuan reached the Commonwealth Games women's doubles final by ousting India's second seeds N. Sikki Reddy-Ashwini Ponnappa 17-21, 21-15, 21-4 on Saturday to earn a crack at the title.
The unseeded Malaysians will play England's third seeds Lauren Smith-Sarah Walker, who upset top seeds Setyana Mapasa-Gronya Somerville 21-15, 21-15, for the gold medal on Sunday.
Vivian forged a partnership with Mei Kuan after her regular partner Woon Khe Wei suffered a knee injury in the Asia Team Championships in February.
Vivian and Khe Wei won the doubles title at the 2014 Glasgow edition.
Despite having played in only one international tournament together, Vivian-Mei Kuan proved that it was no limitation to their goal to do well in the Commonwealth Games.
"This is my biggest senior tournament in my career and I am delighted to make the final. We lost in the first game because I was too eager to finish off the points as quickly as possible.
"Luckily, we bounced back in the second and third games to make the final," said Mei Kuan.
On the final, Vivian said: "It can be any pair's game tomorrow. We need to be calm on the court and play with confidence.
"I do not want to think about winning the title just yet as it might put pressure on us. I feel that as long we do our best, we will get a good result," said Vivian.