Malaysian pair claim third BWF Tour title of 2025, becoming first Malaysian duo to reach seven finals
MALAYSIA’s top-ranked women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, have captured the Japan Masters 2025 title after defeating home favourites Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi in a thrilling final.
The victory marks a milestone achievement for the Malaysian duo, who have now become the first representatives from their country to reach seven BWF Tour finals – a historic feat in Malaysian badminton.
Fresh from confirming their qualification for the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals 2025 in Hangzhou, China, Pearly and Thinaah demonstrated their exceptional form by adding another trophy to their collection.
The triumph in Japan represents their third BWF Tour title of 2025, cementing their status as one of the world’s most formidable women’s doubles partnerships.
Fourth seeds Iwanaga and Nakanishi stood between the Malaysians and championship glory in what proved to be their third encounter of 2025. The Japanese pair had previously faced Pearly-Thinaah at the Arctic Open final, where the Malaysians dominated with a commanding 21-7, 21-9 victory.
The opening set delivered intense drama as the Malaysian pair initially trailed 11-9. However, they fought back to level the score at 20-20, setting up a nail-biting conclusion.
After weathering fierce resistance from their Japanese opponents, Pearly and Thinaah edged ahead to clinch the first set 22-20, establishing crucial momentum.
The second set saw the Japanese duo attempt a resurgence, building a 13-10 advantage. Pearly and Thinaah responded with characteristic resilience, drawing level at 13-13 through precise shot-making and tactical adjustments.
Critical errors from Iwanaga-Nakanishi in the closing stages proved costly, allowing the world number two-ranked Malaysians to seal the match 21-19 and claim the championship.
This Japan Masters triumph represents Pearly and Thinaah’s third BWF Tour title in 2025, highlighting their consistency at the highest level of international badminton.
Their seven final appearances this year demonstrate remarkable endurance and competitive excellence throughout an demanding tournament schedule. No other Malaysian doubles pair has previously achieved this number of BWF Tour final appearances in a single season.
With their place secured at the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, Pearly and Thinaah will face the world’s elite pairs as they continue their impressive season. Their recent form suggests they will be strong contenders for the prestigious year-ending championship.
The partnership between Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah continues to elevate Malaysian badminton on the global stage, carrying forward the nation’s proud tradition in the sport while establishing new benchmarks for future generations.
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