NATIONAL women's doubles team Pearly Tan-M Thinaah ended Malaysia's 19-year wait to advance to the semi-finals of the All England Championships after defeating Indonesian pair, Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Meilysa Trias Puspitasari, early this morning.
The world's second-ranked pair put in a convincing performance, winning 21-9, 21-18 in 43 minutes in the quarter-final match in Birmingham.
The victory saw Pearly-Thinaah equal the achievement of Wong Pei Tty and Chin Eei Hui, who advanced to the semi-finals in the 2007 edition.
Starting as the second seed, the national pair began fiercely in the first set, completely dominating the game to take a substantial lead before closing the set with a 21-9 victory.
The opposing pair tried to put up a tougher fight in the second set, but Pearly-Thinaah's experience and composure allowed them to control the crucial situation before winning 21-18.
Qualifying for the semi-finals also gives the country's pair a bright opportunity to create new history if they manage to go further.
In tonight's semi-finals, Pearly-Thinaah will face the South Korean duo, Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee, who are also among the world's elite.
The two pairs' meeting record so far is tied at 3-3, thus promising a fierce battle to secure a place in the final. – March 7, 2026
