Latest news with #PearlyTan-M.Thinaah
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Paris dream within reach
Familiar faces: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah will meet younger teammates Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting in the China Open. PETALING JAYA: The dream of winning a historic medal in the women's doubles in the World Championships is looking closer to a reality for in-form shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah. No Malaysian women's pair have ever managed to capture a medal in the world meet but Pearly-Thinaah seem to be the country's best bet to finally end the elusive wait in the prestigious tourney this year which will be held just a month from now from Aug 25-31 in Paris. The world No. 3 duo have come the closest after former world No. 1 Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty when they reached the quarter-finals in the last edition in 2023 but fell to a heartbreaking defeat to China's Zhang Shuxian-Zheng Yu in Copenhagen. Eei Hui-Pei Tty also reached the last eight in 2007 at home in Kuala Lumpur but were denied by another Chinese duo Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen. Reaching the semi-finals will guarantee at least a bronze and Pearly-Thinaah are heading in the right direction to achieve the feat. The duo have been in fine form this year and made it into the finals in their last two tournaments – the Indonesian Open last month and Japan Open on Sunday. Although Pearly-Thinaah missed out on the titles after going down to China's world No. 1 Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning in both finals, they look ready to match the world's top pairs in the biggest tournaments and are shaping up nicely for the world meet. In the Indonesian tourney, Pearly-Thinaah reached their maiden World Tour Super 1000 final and followed it up in Japan by progressing into their first Super 750 title match since capturing the French Open crown in 2022. The pair notably secured a morale-boosting win over home favourites and world No. 2 Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida in the last four of the Japan tourney. Pearly-Thinaah have also become a more consistent pair this year, triumphing in the Thailand Open in May and finishing runners-up in the Indonesian Masters in January. Women's doubles coach Rosman Razak is happy with his charges' progress ahead of the world meet and hopes the pair can maintain their form in the China Open which starts today in Changzhou to build momentum for the showpiece event in Paris. 'Although Pearly-Thinaah missed out on the title, they played quite well in the Japan Open,' said Rosman. 'They are progressing well and they want to remain positive for this week's China Open. The most important is their recovery process ahead of this tournament.' Meanwhile, doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky believes another podium finish in China is possible for Pearly-Thinaah. 'It's good to see that Pearly-Thinaah have become consistent by reaching finals more regularly,' said Rexy. 'Hopefully, they can finish on the podium again in China.' Pearly-Thinaah will open their campaign in Changzhou against younger teammates Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting. If the pair reach the semi-finals, they could lock horns with Matsuyama-Shida again. The other Malaysians in action in the women's doubles are Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee, who should have little trouble getting past Poland's Paulina Hankiewicz-Kornelia Marczak in the first round.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Zahid hails Pearly-Thinaah, Sze Fei-Izzuddin's fighting spirit after Japan Open run
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi congratulated national doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani for finishing runners-up in the women's and men's events, respectively, at the 2025 Japan Open badminton championships. Ahmad Zahid described the fighting spirit, high discipline and strong determination shown by the two pairs as a source of inspiration for all Malaysians. "Continue to move forward, keep fighting. Don't ever feel afraid or retreat. Every drop of sweat paves the way to even greater success. "We all stand firmly behind you. For the country, for Malaysia!" he posted on Facebook. In today's Japan Open finals, Pearly-Thinaah emerged as runners-up after losing 5-21, 14-21 to world number one Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning of China. Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, meanwhile, went down 16-21, 17-21 to South Korea's Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae. As runners-up, each Malaysian pair took home USD33,250 (RM141,000). – BERNAMA
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Ahmad Zahid congratules Pearly-Thinaah, Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin for runner-up finishes
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has lauded national badminton pairs Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani for their runner-up finishes at the 2025 Japan Open. Ahmad Zahid commended their fighting spirit, discipline, and determination, calling them an inspiration for Malaysians. 'Continue to move forward, keep fighting. Don't ever feel afraid or retreat. Every drop of sweat paves the way to even greater success,' he said in a Facebook post. In the finals, Pearly-Thinaah fell to China's world number one pair Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning with scores of 5-21, 14-21. Meanwhile, Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin lost 16-21, 17-21 to South Korea's Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae. Both Malaysian pairs earned USD33,250 (RM141,000) as runners-up. - Bernama Gold medallists China's Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning and silver medallists Malaysia's Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralithara pose on the podium after their women's doubles final match on the final day of the Japan Open badminton tournament at Tokyo Gymnasium in Tokyo on July 20, 2025. - Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Barnama
3 days ago
- Sport
- Barnama
Japan Open: Ahmad Zahid Congratules Pearly-Thinaah, Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin For Runner-Up Finishes
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has congratulated national doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani for finishing runners-up in the women's and men's events, respectively, at the 2025 Japan Open badminton championships. Ahmad Zahid described the fighting spirit, high discipline and strong determination shown by the two pairs as a source of inspiration for all Malaysians. "Continue to move forward, keep fighting. Don't ever feel afraid or retreat. Every drop of sweat paves the way to even greater success.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pearly-Thinaah take positives from painful loss in Tokyo final
KUALA LUMPUR: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah's dream run came to a screeching halt at the Japan Open on Sunday, but the world No. 3 pair are taking the painful defeat on the chin. After a sensational semi-final win over their long-time nemeses, Japan's world No. 2 Chiharu Shida-Nami Matsuyama, hopes were high that Pearly-Thinaah would become the first Malaysians to lift the women's doubles title in Tokyo. But China's Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning had other ideas. The Chinese pair were simply unstoppable, dismantling the Malaysians 21-15, 21-14 in just 45 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, handing Pearly-Thinaah a ruthless reminder of the work still to be done. "Our game plan didn't work. They read us very well," said Pearly. "We couldn't adapt, and we need to learn from this." "We always support each other — win or lose — and we want to carry this spirit into the upcoming tournaments." The performance was in stark contrast to their epic battle in last month's Indonesia Open final, where Pearly-Thinaah pushed the Chinese pair to the limit before narrowly losing 23-25, 21-12, 21-19. But in Tokyo, Sheng Shu-Tan Ning, who now lead their head-to-head 9-3, executed a flawless game plan from start to finish, never allowing the Malaysians to find their rhythm. Thinaah admitted that their confidence took a hit. "We knew what we had to do, but just couldn't pull it off today," she said. "Their pace and precision really put us under pressure. "What's important now is to stay confident, no matter the scoreline. We'll learn from this and prepare for next week." National coach Rosman Razak gave credit where it was due. "We lost to a better pair today. Pearly-Thinaah tried to vary their shots, but made too many unforced errors," he said. "The opponents' defence and attack were very consistent." Still, Rosman believes there were plenty of positives, especially in the pair's semi-final breakthrough over Shida-Matsuyama — only their second win in 15 meetings. "They played well throughout the week. Progress is ongoing, and they're staying positive ahead of the China Open. "The key now is recovery. There's still a long season ahead." Pearly-Thinaah now turn their attention to the Super 1000 China Open, which begins Tuesday, armed with renewed focus and a fresh reminder of what it takes to beat the very best.
