KUALA LUMPUR: According to national shuttler Vivian Hoo, being more than just partners on court is vital to becoming a top pair.
On Wednesday, Vivian and her women's doubles partner Yap Cheng Wen squeezed into the second round of the Malaysia Masters when they bounced back from a first game blemish to upset Thailand's World No 20 Chayanit Chaladchalam-Phataimas Muenwong 12-21, 21-12, 21-18 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil here.
The Malaysians, who were only paired in September last year, now stand a good chance of reaching their maiden World Tour Super 500 quarter-finals.
The World No 33 face Indonesian qualifiers, Yulfira Barkah-Jauza Fadhila Sugiarto on Thursday.
"We knew the match today (Wednesday) was going to be tough because even with our previous partners, we had lost to the Thais," said Vivian.
"The Malaysia Masters draws all the top pairs so it's never going to be easy, but for Cheng Wen and I, every match is an opportunity to learn something new to improve our partnership.
"The draw has also been kind to us because initially we were supposed to play a South Korean pair, but instead (due to last minute withdrawals) we replaced a seeded pair and now have a good chance of reaching the last eight."
Earlier, National No 1 Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean were shown the exit by Japan's Ayako Sakuramoto-Yukiko Takahata, who thrashed the Malaysian pair 21-8, 21-14.
On whether they are ready to step up and claim the national No 1 spot, Vivian, added: "It doesn't really matter who is national No 1, our main opponent is not only our teammates but everyone else.
"Of course, it will matter when it comes to the Olympic qualifying period but I believe the best pair deserves to go. What matters more is for us to improve together for the country."
Vivian and Cheng Wen had to go through several scratch partnerships, especially after the former’s previous partner Woon Khe Wei picked up a knee injury last year.
After weighing in her options, Khe Wei quit the national team late last year.
On the difference between her long standing partnership with Khe Wei and Cheng Wen, Vivian, said: "I think we still have to know each other better and fast. In other words, we need to be friends.
"It was easier with Khe Wei because we were about the same age. Cheng Wen, however, is much younger and it's not easy. We are still working on it."
In the mixed doubles first round, independent duo Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying faced no problem in reaching the second round after chalking up a 21-13, 21-14 win over France's Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue.
The third seeds, fresh from winning the Thailand Masters crown last week, will face China's Lu Kai-Chen Lu next for a place in the quarter-finals.