KUALA LUMPUR: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah’s silver-medal run at the World Championships has pushed China to reunite their Olympic champions Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan.
The pair, who won gold at last year’s Paris Olympics, will resume their partnership at the Denmark Open (Oct 14-19), a move likely to make life tougher for the Malaysians.
Pearly-Thinaah made history in Paris last month by claiming Malaysia’s first ever podium finish at the world meet, falling to China‘s world No.1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning in three games.
China‘s decision to bring back their Olympic champions suggests they fear Pearly-Thinaah could dethrone them as the dominant force in women’s doubles.
Former national shuttler Woon Khe Wei said Qing Chen-Yi Fan, who own an 8-1 head-to-head record against Pearly-Thinaah, are returning as China want an experienced pair to blunt Malaysia’s progress.
“Qing Chen-Yi Fan have the experience and they will pose a big threat to Pearly-Thinaah on the World Tour and at major events,” said Khe Wei.
“It’s not only China. Malaysia’s other rivals are also taking Pearly-Thinaah very seriously. This speaks volumes about their quality and the respect they command.
“But Pearly-Thinaah don’t need to worry about the top China pair in the first three or four tournaments, as they will take time to regain rhythm and match sharpness. After that, they must be ready.”
Pearly-Thinaah will resume their World Tour campaign at the Hong Kong Open, which starts on Tuesday.
Khe Wei said: “At the Hong Kong Open, they should clear the opening rounds and are likely to face Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian in the semi-finals.”
Yi Fan has been partnering Shu Xian throughout this year, with the pair currently ranked world No.4 and holding a 4-1 record over Pearly-Thinaah.
The Malaysians, who open against Taiwan’s world No.17 Chang Ching Hui-Yang Ching Tung, could also meet Qing Chen-Keng Shu Liang in the second round.
While Yi Fan has kept competing with different partners, Qing Chen had gone into semi-retirement and was out of China’s national team for several months.
The last time Qing Chen-Yi Fan played together was at the World Tour Finals in December, where they fell in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, world No.20 Go Pei Kee-Teo Mei Xing will also be looking to bounce back after their second-round exit in Paris.
They face Hong Kong’s Fan Kah Yan-Yau Mau Ying (ranked 47th) in the first round.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
