KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s top women’s doubles duo Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah demonstrated improved gameplay at the Indonesia Masters this week, securing a spot in the quarter-finals.
The 13th-ranked pair exhibited dominance during the match, effortlessly defeating Margot Lambert-Anne Tran in straight sets with a score of 21-14, 21-10.
The swift victory, accomplished in just 31 minutes, marked their second consecutive triumph over the French pair.
Their recent success at the Indonesia Masters contrasts with their exits in the India Open’s second round last week and the Malaysia Open’s first round the week before.
Having faced setbacks against formidable opponents in those tournaments, including Japan’s Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida and China’s Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning respectively, Pearly and Thinaah seemed determined to capitalise on their current momentum.
Fellow Malaysians Vivian Hoo and Lim Chiew Sien faced a tough challenge against Chinese fourth seeds Shengshu-Ning, enduring a 39-minute battle that resulted in a 15-21, 15-21 defeat.
The upcoming quarter-final clash presents an opportunity for Pearly-Thinaah to seek redemption against Shengshu-Ning, offering a chance to avenge their compatriots and advance further in the tournament.
In the men’s doubles, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun displayed a commendable effort against Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto.
Despite a closely contested match, the Malaysian pair succumbed to the third-seeded Indonesian duo in straight sets 21-18, 22-20 after 44 minutes of intense play.
Another Malaysian duo, Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri, showcased impressive gameplay against Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard, even though they ultimately fell short with a score of 17-21, 19-21.
Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi faced a swift exit, succumbing to Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani with a score of 21-15, 21-11 in just 30 minutes.
Advancing alongside Pearly-Thinaah into the quarter-finals are men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia and mixed doubles duo Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing. – January 25, 2024