Paris, France, October 26, 2026: Malaysia’s Lai Pei Jing remains determined to win more badminton titles alongside Hoo Pang Ron after the independent mixed doubles pair finished runners-up at the 2026 French Open on Sunday.
Hoo and Lai lost 10-21, 13-21 to China’s world No. 1 combination Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping in the final at Arena Grand Paris. Despite the defeat, the 34-year-old Lai expressed pride in their progress and the opportunity to stand on the podium again.
Lai Pei Jing Cherishes French Open Podium Moment
Reflecting on the tournament through social media, Lai described the awards podium as a place she has always loved, saying the experience remained meaningful even without the championship trophy.
She emphasized that the journey mattered as much as the result, reflecting on the hard work, perseverance and determination needed to overcome setbacks throughout her career.
“Being runners-up is not the end. We’ll keep working hard. Next time, we’ll continue aiming for a higher place,” Lai wrote.
She also thanked Hoo for his commitment and her sponsors for supporting her through both successful and difficult periods, encouraging the partnership to remain ambitious while appreciating every improvement.
Malaysian Pair Determined to Overcome World No. 1 Feng-Huang
The French Open defeat marked another setback against Feng and Huang, who had also beaten the Malaysians in the Denmark Open semifinals two weeks earlier.
Lai acknowledged that the Chinese pair remain difficult opponents despite their continued efforts to experiment with different tactics.
“No matter what, we won’t give up until the day we finally beat them,” she said.
Nevertheless, Hoo and Lai enjoyed an encouraging campaign in Paris. They defeated China’s Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui 21-13, 21-9 in the semifinals after overcoming Germany’s Marvin Seidel and Thuc Phuong Nguyen 21-17, 20-22, 21-18 in the quarterfinals.
Watch Highlights: Hoo Pang Ron/Lai Pei Jing vs. Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping – 2026 French Open Final
Hoo Pang Ron Identifies Areas for Improvement
Hoo offered a candid assessment of the partnership, acknowledging that they need better tactical communication and coordination.
He explained that their approach can sometimes be too spontaneous, resulting in misunderstandings over positioning and movement on court.
“As a pair, we need to think about how to improve our overall performance,” Hoo said, adding that they still have time to develop a stronger understanding of each other’s game.
Despite the challenges, Hoo said he is enjoying life as an independent player and appreciates every opportunity to compete.
He also explained why fans occasionally see him dancing during matches.
“I genuinely feel happy, and it also helps me release pressure,” he said. “The most important thing is that I’m happy playing badminton here.”
Hoo-Lai Look Ahead After Encouraging European Campaign
Having reached the Denmark Open semifinals and French Open final in consecutive tournaments, Hoo and Lai have demonstrated their ability to compete deep into major BWF World Tour events.
The next challenge is converting those performances into titles, particularly against established combinations such as Feng and Huang.
For Lai, the runner-up finish is another reason to keep working rather than a cause for disappointment. With Hoo equally committed to improving their partnership, the Malaysians will continue pursuing their next championship opportunity.
Complete Tournament Results
Mixed Doubles – Final
Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (China) defeated Hoo Pang Ron/Lai Pei Jing (Malaysia), 21-10, 21-13.
