Pearly-Thinaah defeat South Koreans, inch closer to Masters title

KUALA LUMPUR – National women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are one step away from claiming the 2023 Malaysia Masters title following their 21-19, 23-21 semifinals win over South Korea’s Jeong Na-eun-Kim Hye-jeong. 

At Axiata Arena today, Pearly-Thinaah had to dig deep to gather their energy, coming from behind to take the first set. 

The second set seemed to be going to the South Korean pair, but Pearly-Thinaah clawed back from a 12-2 deficit to close out the game in a thrilling hour and 32 minutes.

Having played lengthy matches back to back, Pearly said they are dazed by their upcoming final round appearance tomorrow.

“The past few matches have been very tiring, so the win today felt like a dream. We want to thank the fans for giving us the motivation. 

“When trailing in the second set, we told ourselves to enjoy each point, be patient, and not overthink it. 

“This strategy worked because we had already won the first set, so we could afford to be calm. We play well when we are enjoying our game,” she said. 

Their quarterfinals match against Japan’s Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota yesterday dragged on to an hour and 51 minutes, following an hour-and-a-half battle in the second round that saw potentially the longest rally of 211 shots. 

“Even if I do not have the strength tomorrow, I will still go on. I just need a bit of rest to bounce back. 

“We have made a comeback after every loss. The trust between us is stronger than before so we hope to keep the momentum going,” said Pearly. 

The world number 11 Malaysian pair will take on South Korea’s Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee after they beat Japan’s Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara 21-19, 21-14. 

Pearly-Thinaah have only met their final opponents once previously at the 2022 French Open semifinals, where Pearly-Thinaah would go on to be champions. 

“We did win the last time we met them, but they had just partnered up at that time. 

“Now they are much more mature and experienced, but we will give it our all,” she added. 

Pearly-Thinaah are the first national shuttlers to appear in a Malaysia Masters final since Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi in 2019, who lost to Indonesia’s Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo. 

The last Malaysian players to win at the Masters were mixed doubles duo Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing in 2017. – The Vibes, May 27, 2023