Shuttlers Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing saw their Hylo Open mixed doubles campaign end in the semi-finals on Saturday in Saarbrucken, Germany, falling 20-22, 21-16, 17-21 to reigning world champions Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue of France. Despite the 70-minute defeat at the Saarlandhalle, the world No. 24 pair expressed satisfaction with their recent European tournament run as they pursue a berth at the season-ending World Tour Finals.
Defeat Against World Champions in Saarbrucken
The Malaysian pair pushed the world No. 3 French duo to three games before dropping the deciding set. Pang Ron and Pei Jing held a narrow deficit at 17-19 in the final game before Gicquel and Delrue secured the match after 70 minutes of play. The result halted an impressive run for the Malaysian duo, who came close to reaching their second consecutive final in two weeks.
Surge Up the World Rankings
Pei Jing reflected on the partnership’s trajectory following the match via social media. In just two months, the pair have climbed from world No. 85 to No. 24. Their recent European circuit results include a runner-up finish at the French Open last week, a semi-final appearance at the Denmark Open, and a runner-up showing at the China Masters in September. With Hylo Open ranking points pending, the duo anticipates a potential breakthrough into the top 15.
Malaysia’s Hylo Open run ends in semi-finals as Aaron-Roy King and Pang Ron-Pei Jing fall short. https://t.co/R2TBLp6CVk
Pursuing World Tour Finals Qualification in Hangzhou
Their recent form has revived hopes of qualifying for the season-ending World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, scheduled for Dec 9-13. At the start of October, the pair sat in 36th position in the standings, well outside the top eight qualification spots. They have since advanced to 20th place, even before adding their points from the Hylo Open. Qualification rules limit each nation to two representatives, which could benefit the Malaysian pair as five Chinese and four Taiwanese pairings currently sit ahead of them in the standings. Goh Soon Huat-Lai Shevon Jemie occupy the 11th spot as the only other Malaysian mixed doubles pair currently in the top 20 of the Finals standings.
Upcoming November Tournaments
The Malaysian pair will immediately shift focus to a demanding three-week Asian leg. They are scheduled to compete in the Korean Open starting tomorrow, the Kumamoto Masters from Nov 10-15, and the Hong Kong Open from Nov 17-22. Deep runs across these upcoming fixtures will determine whether they secure enough points to break into the top eight for the Hangzhou finals.
Men’s Doubles Semi-Final Exit
In the men’s doubles draw, Malaysia’s campaign also concluded in the semi-final round. World No. 74 Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King dropped a close three-game match, losing 21-18, 15-21, 18-21 to Denmark’s Christian Faust Kjaer-Rasmus Kjaer in 59 minutes.
