KUALA LUMPUR – National top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah progressed to the Super 750 French Open finals tomorrow after taking down South Korea’s Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee at Stade Pierre de Coubertin, Paris.
In an energetic display of performance, the world number 11 pair overpowered their contenders, 21-13, 21-17, in 41 minutes.
Pearly is making a comeback after she suffered an injury to her left knee at the Japan Open in September, which forced her to concede a walkover in the second round.
In an interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) after the match, Thinaah praised her high-spirited partner for staying persistent throughout the match.
“We are very tired but more excited to be back on the court.
“Many are aware that Pearly suffered from an injury at the Japan Open. During our preparation, she was still going through physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
“We were not really sure whether we would make it for the Denmark and France Open.
“But Pearly’s fighting spirit to get back on the court was high, so I do not doubt her ability,” she said.
For the record, the closest Malaysia’s women’s doubles pair has ever gotten to winning the title – since the tournament was held in 1908 – was through Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty in 2008.
The duo won second place after losing to China’s Du Jing-Yu Yang in the final, 20-22, 21-19, 21-11.
Pearly-Thinaah will be facing fourth-seeded Japanese Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara in the finals tomorrow after they defeated compatriot, fifth-seeded Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota in the semis. – The Vibes, October 29, 2022
