KUALA LUMPUR – National top women’s doubles shuttler Pearly Tan, who recently recovered from back pain, made a stellar return alongside partner M. Thinaah on day one of the Kumamoto Masters Japan.
The duo, who skipped several tournaments due to the injury that Pearly complained about after their Asian Games quarter-final defeat, secured a hard-fought victory against South Korea’s Lee Yu-lim and Shin Seung-chan, 21-14, 20-22, 21-18, advancing to the second round.
Prior to the pair’s match, independent men’s doubles shuttlers Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi hit the ground running for the Malaysian camp after defeating fellow countrymen Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
The world number 12 pair were drawn against 20th-ranked Wei Chong-Kai Wun, whom they thrashed in straight sets, 21-16, 21-7.
However, the news was not as favourable for men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao, whose journey in the Super 500 event was cut short by Japan’s Takuma Obayashi.
The Kuala Lumpur Masters champion faced a formidable challenge, succumbing to his Japanese opponent in straight sets, 23-21, 21-16, after an intense hour-long battle.
The same goes for women’s doubles pair Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien who succumbed to Japan’s Rena Miyaura-Ayako Sakuramoto, 21-17, 21-11, in 40 minutes. – November 14, 2023