KUALA LUMPUR: Rising mixed doubles player Cheng Su Yin regards Hoo Pang Ron not just as a partner but a "mentor" on and off the court.
National mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto had decided to pair off Pang Ron, 26, with Su Yin, 21, in November last year after his 10-month combination with Teoh Mei Xing didn't yield the desired results.
Pang Ron-Su Yin, ranked World No. 29, had a slow start, but they picked up momentum in the last three tournaments where they reached the quarter-finals of the super 500 Hong Kong Open and the super 1000 China Open and the last four at the super 300 Macau Open.
Su Yin said she owes her progress to Nova and also to Pang Ron who has always guided her to become a better player.
"He is like a big brother and a mentor to me and always guides me on and off the court. When I have a problem, he is always there to help," said Su Yin.
"If I make a mistake he will scold me and I'm actually OK with it as his intention is for us to become a better pair.
"I'm quite fortunate to have him as my partner."
Pang Ron praised Su Yin for her diligence and her willingness to learn to become a better player.
He added that the improvement in communication between them has also been the key to their improved performance in recent months.
"There is no such thing as senior or junior on court. In the beginning, she just listens but I always remind that she needs to have her own opinions so that we can discuss things," Pang Ron said.
"I see the potential in her as she works very hard and doesn't want to disappoint me (in tournaments).
"We have started adding more variety into our game and we are getting more solid in our performance.
"With better communication between us now, we are hoping to continue our good run."
Pang Ron-Su Yin will be competing in the Arctic Open in Finland on Oct 8-13 and the Denmark Open in Odense on Oct 15-20.