In control: Hoo Pang Ron (left) Cheng Su Yin marched into the mixed doubles quarter-finals in the Macau Open after disposing off Lui Chun Wai-Fu Chi Yan of Hong Kong 21-18, 21-10.
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttler Hoo Pang Ron continues to show that his eye problem is a thing of the past.
Yesterday, Pang Ron and his partner Cheng Su Yin marched into the mixed doubles quarter-finals in the Macau Open after disposing off Lui Chun Wai-Fu Chi Yan of Hong Kong 21-18, 21-10.
They will play top seeds Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong and are hoping to reach their second semis this year after making it to the last four at the Orleans Masters in March.
They did well to reach the quarter-finals of the last tournaments in Hong Kong and China.
Pang Ron is grateful to come this far, after going through his second eye surgery on May 10 this year.
“I’m really unlucky. I went through eye surgery for the second time on the same eye after an infection again,” said Pang Ron.
He also went through the same surgery last October after unclean particles landed on his eye.
“It was corneal ulcer and the doctor had to use a needle to scrape the infected area. It was only a 10-minute procedure but it was really painful. I could not open my eye.
“But it’s all good now. In fact, my vision is better and my partnership with Su Yin is also getting better.
“She’s willing to learn and we are able to discuss with each on our game with an open mind. It makes everything easier.
“It certainly takes time to grow stronger but we are on the right track.”
Independent mixed doubles pair Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien also made it to the quarters. They knocked out India’s Reddy B Sumeeth-Reddy Sikki 21-17, 21-14 to set up meeting against China’s Guo Xinwa-Chen Fanghui next.
Meanwhile, it was over for Justin Hoh in the men’s singles but Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong pulled off a sensational upset to keep Malaysia’s flag flying high in the men’s doubles.
Justin, who won the Malaysia Games (Sukma) singles gold last month, went down 21-15, 16-21, 17-21 to Alwi Farhan of Indonesia in the second round on Thursday (Sept 26).
Azriyn-Wee Kiong upstaged eighth seeds Shohibul Fikri-Daniel Marthin of Indonesia 21-18, 14-21, 21-11. The professionals will next play Thailand’s Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul in the quarter-finals.
