KUALA LUMPUR: Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin are fast becoming a mixed doubles pair to watch on the World Tour.
The world No. 28 Malaysians reached the second round of the Arctic Open after a convincing 21-16, 21-10 victory over China's world No. 25 Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui at the Vantaan Energy Arena in Finland today (Oct 8).
This win continues their fine form from the past three tournaments, having made the quarter-finals of both the Hong Kong and China Opens (Super 500, Super 1000), and the semi-finals of the Macau Open (Super 300).
Their triumph over Xin Wa-Fang Hui is a great result, considering that the Chinese pair have been in top form this year, reaching five finals and winning two titles on the World Tour. Xin Wa-Fang Hui claimed the Super 500 Thailand Open, beating world No. 7 Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai, and the Macau Open by overcoming Indonesia's world No. 11 Dejan Ferdinansyah-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.
Pang Ron-Su Yin will next face Lin Den-Eva Wang of the United States or Taiwan's sixth-seeds Yang Po Hsuan-Hu Ling Fang in the second round.
Meanwhile, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were knocked out in the first round after a gruelling hour-long battle, losing 16-21, 21-18, 10-21 to Thailand's scratch pairing of Supak Jomkoh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai.