KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin need results — not effort — and the Indonesia Masters offers them a timely chance to deliver.
The world No. 20 avoided what could have been an embarrassing exit by coming from behind to beat Thailand's world No. 51 Phunawat Horbanluekit-Benyapa Aimsaard 13-21, 21-6, 21-17 to check into the last 16 at Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Wednesday.
It was a much-needed response for Pang Ron-Su Yin, whose form has been under the microscope following an underwhelming 2025 campaign.
Despite a promising 2024 season, the pair failed to reach a single semi-final last year, managing only five quarter-final appearances from 18 tournaments.
More alarmingly, they were knocked out in the opening round on eight occasions, prompting coach Nova Widianto to hint that a split could be considered if results do not improve.
Two tournaments into the 2026 season, Pang Ron-Su Yin are still searching for stability.
They reached the last 16 at the Malaysia Open before suffering a first-round exit at last week's India Open.
There have, however, been flashes of encouragement.
The pair defeated Denmark's world No. 12 Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje in Kuala Lumpur, and in New Delhi pushed eventual champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran to a hard-fought three-game encounter.
Still, progress has been measured more by effort than results.
A stern test awaits Pang Ron-Su Yin in Thursday's last 16, where they are likely to face China's world No. 6 Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui.
Victory could set up a quarter-final rematch with Christiansen-Boje.
Pang Ron-Su Yin hold a 1-0 head-to-head edge over Xin Wa-Fang Hui, though that win came back in 2024 at the Arctic Open.
Meanwhile, world No. 25 Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing bowed out early after losing 21-10, 21-17 to Indonesia's world No. 48 Dejan Ferdinansyah-Bernadine Anindiya Wardana.
The defeat stalled Jimmy-Pei Jing's bid to build on an encouraging showing at the India Open, where they reached the last 16 and stretched world No. 1 Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping.
Only 10 months into their partnership, Jimmy-Pei Jing have already broken into the world's top 32 following a string of strong performances in lower-tier tournaments, highlighted by a runners-up finish at the Korea Masters Super 300.
But the step up to Super 500 tournaments and above has so far proven a steep learning curve.
