KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto is impressed with the way shuttler Cheng Su Yin has upped her game of late.
Nova said he was happy to see the 21-year-old finally hit her stride, having previously struggled to deliver the goods on court despite having shown glimpses of her true capability in training.
"Su Yin is becoming bolder in terms of her on-court performances, but there is still room for improvement," he told reporters after a training session at Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara today.
The Indonesian hopes that the more experienced Hoo Pang Ron would guide Su Yin so that their mixed doubles combination would be more solid.
"Pang Ron is 26, and I hope he can be the leader and guide Su Yin," he said.
World No. 28 Pang Ron-Su Yin, who were paired up last year, showcased their potential by pulling off a stunning 21-19, 21-12 win over Taiwan world No. 15 Yang Po Hsuan-Hu Ling Fang in the second round of the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland.
Pang Ron-Su Yin are set to face compatriots and world No. 10 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai in the quarter-finals today.
Soon Huat-Shevon defeated Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran 22-20, 21-16 yesterday.
Last month, 2023 Malaysian International Challenge winners Pang Ron-Su Yin created a shock when they upset world No. 8 Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong 21-18, 21-18 in the quarter-finals of the Macau Open.
However, the Malaysians' challenge ended in the semi-finals when they went down fighting 15-21, 21-17, 14-21 to world No. 11 Dejan Fernandisyah-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja of Indonesia. – BERNAMA