KUALA LUMPUR: Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing’s remarkable late-season resurgence showed no signs of slowing as they advanced to their third consecutive semi-final on the European swing at the Hylo Open in Saarbrucken, Germany, on Friday.
The world No. 24 continued their impressive run by overcoming Hong Kong’s seventh seeds Chan Yin Chak-Ng Tsz Yau 21-17, 21-17 in 31 minutes at the Saarlandhalle.
The victory extended their fine run of form, having reached the Denmark Open semi-finals and French Open final over the previous two weeks.
It also underlined the growing consistency of the independent pair, who have emerged as one of Malaysia’s most encouraging performers on the World Tour in recent months.
Pang Ron-Pei Jing have now reached the semi-finals or better in four of their last five tournaments, including runners-up finishes at the China Masters in September and French Open last Sunday.
Their only blemish during that stretch was a first-round exit at the Arctic Open in Finland earlier this month.
The Malaysians had entered Friday’s encounter with their head-to-head record against the Hong Kong combination tied at 1-1.
After suffering a straight-games defeat at the Australian Open in June, Pang Ron-Pei Jing gained revenge with a 21-12, 16-21, 21-11 victory at the China Masters in September.
Pang Ron-Pei Jing will next face either Germany’s eighth seeds Marvin Seidel-Thuc Phuong Nguyen or France’s second seeds Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Another victory would put them within touching distance of a third Super 750 or Super 500 final since September.