KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles shuttler Cheng Su Yin has put her injury fears behind her and is ready to relaunch her career with Hoo Pang Ron, starting at next week’s Kumamoto Masters in Japan.
Su Yin has had a difficult season after suffering two ankle injuries — first a right ankle sprain when she tripped on the stairs during the Orleans Masters in March, and later a fracture on her left ankle in the first round of the Korea Open in September.
The setbacks saw Pang Ron-Su Yin’s world ranking slip from No. 14 to No. 20, forcing them to miss four consecutive European tournaments — the Arctic, Denmark, French and Hylo Opens.
Now fully fit, Su Yin says she’s no longer haunted by fear.
“I don’t feel scared anymore about injuries. The last one was quite bad — there was a minor fracture on my left ankle, but I’ve fully recovered,” said Su Yin.
“Injuries will always happen, but it’s about how I manage to overcome them.”
The pair will face a tough opening match in Kumamoto against World University Games champions Wu Hsuan Yi-Yang Chu Yun of Taiwan.
Pang Ron expects a close contest against the world No. 93, who were runners-up at the Kaohsiung Masters Super 100 in September.
“They’re quite strong, and it won’t be easy,” said Pang Ron.
“Hopefully, we can get that rhythm back. We didn’t play in Europe, so we want to regain our momentum.”
If they advance, Pang Ron-Su Yin are expected to face world No. 3 Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran in the second round — a rematch of last year’s Kumamoto Masters, where the Thais came out on top.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
