Hyderabad: Hoo Pang Ron/Cheah Yee See booked themselves a spot in the Hyderabad Open mixed doubles final, becoming Malaysia’s sole representative left in the tournament.
They had to work extra hard just to defeat Ratchapol Makkasasithorn/Benyapa Aimsaard of Thailand 17-21, 21-15, 21-15 in 43 minutes to advance to the final. Hoo/Cheah will take on Adnan Maulana/Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso of Indonesia on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s World No. 84 men’s singles player Iskandar Zulkarnain failed to make it to the final as he crashed out in the semi-finals after being beaten by No. 7 seed Sourabh Verma of India 21-23, 16-21.
Sourabh Verma will play Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the final. Loh, on the other hand, survived a scare in his bid for his maiden Hyderabad Open title as he saved three match points, scrapping to a victory over Korean player Heo Kwang Hee 16-21, 21-10, 25-23 in 47 minutes.
Loh will be accompanied by his teammate Yeo Jia Min in the final as the No. 1 seed in women’s singles will meet No. 2 seed An Se Young of Korea in the final.
Yeo defeated Phittayaporn Chaiwan of Thailand 21-11, 15-21, 21-18 on Saturday while An overcame Porntip Buranaprasertsuk 21-14, 21-13 in the semi-final.
