Su Yin's Finally Hitting Her Stride - Nova

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- National mixed doubles head 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 here today.

The former Indonesian shuttler also hoped 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.

The world number 28, who were paired up last year, showcased their potential by pulling off a stunning 21-19, 21-12 win over world number 15 Yang Po-Hsuan-Hu Ling Fang of Taiwan in the second round of the 2024 Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland.

Pang Ron-Su Yin are set to face compatriots Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, the world number 10, in the quarter-finals of the Arctic Open today after the professional pair had disposed of 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 number eight 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 number 11 Dejan Fernandisyah-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja of Indonesia.

-- BERNAMA