KUALA LUMPUR: Former BAM high-performance director Datuk James Selvaraj believes struggling mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin should look to their seniors for inspiration.
Pang Ron-Su Yin have emerged as the second-best mixed doubles pair on BA of Malaysia's (BAM) roster after a positive showing last year, however, have been battling confidence issues this season.
The world No. 18 pair have not had a good start this year, suffering two first-round exits at the Malaysia and India Opens recently.
James believes they should look to emulate what Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have done to turn around their games.
"Young players are sometimes overwhelmed by the occasion which can lead to them freezing in the moment. They get nervous, are scared to deliver the strokes and gameplay needed to win," said James when contacted today (Jan 20).
"Ever since Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin left BAM they have been very consistent, confident and strong. Young players like Pang Ron and Su Yin can look at how they play and implement it in their game."
Since leaving BAM in September of last year, Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin have risen to No. 2 in the world after winning three titles - including the India Open last week - and also reached the final of the World Tour Finals in December.
The victory in India is expected to carry them to the top of the world rankings when it is updated tomorrow (Jan 21).
James also added that South Korea's Seo Seung Jae is another good example that Pang Ron-Su Yin can look to learn from.
The 27-year-old has found consistent success no matter who he has been partnered with.
Seung Jae won two world titles in 2023 in the men's doubles with Kang Ming Hyuk and in the mixed doubles with Chae Yoo Jung.
However, after the Paris Olympics, he was paired with 21-year-old Jin Yong and won the China Masters in November.
This year, he has once again switched partners, now teaming up with Kim Won Ho. Despite the changes, he continues to achieve remarkable success, having recently won the Malaysia Open just two weeks ago and reaching the final of the India Open, where they fell to Sze Fei and Izzuddin.
Pang Ron and Su Yin have a daunting task ahead of them in the first round of the Indonesia Masters this week as they will take on compatriots Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai in the first round.
The husband and wife duo have been in great form this year getting to the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open and India Open.