KUALA LUMPUR: Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing’s remarkable run of form finally came to a halt after the Malaysians fell to China’s Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin in the Korea Open mixed doubles quarter-finals in Yeosu on Friday.
The world No. 15 independent pair found the world No. 2 Chinese top seeds too hot to handle, going down 21-14, 21-18 in 32 minutes at Jinnam Stadium.
It was their second straight defeat to Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin, having also lost 21-11, 24-22 in the Macau Open semi-finals in June.
Despite the setback, Pang Ron-Pei Jing can take heart from an impressive stretch that saw them play 16 matches in just 25 days since the Denmark Open on Oct 13, winning 12.
Competing in their fifth consecutive tournament, the Malaysians reached the Denmark Open semi-finals, French Open final and Hylo Open semi-finals before making the last eight in Yeosu.