KUALA LUMPUR: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah tasted a rare defeat but still made history, booking their place in the World Tour Finals (WTF) semi-finals for the first time despite falling to Japan’s Mayu Matsumoto-Yuki Fukushima in Hangzhou on Friday.
The world No. 2 Malaysians lost 21-15, 16-21, 21-19 in a tough 89-minute battle against the world No. 5 Japanese pair, yet progressed as Group A champions — a reward for their consistency across the group stage.
China‘s world No. 6 Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian brushed aside Japan’s Kie Nakanishi-Rin Iwanaga 21-11, 21-8 in the other Group A match, but the result was not enough to save them from elimination.
With three pairs finishing on two wins each, final standings were decided by game difference under tournament regulations.
Pearly-Thinaah topped the group with a superior plus-three games, ahead of Matsumoto-Fukushima (plus two), while Yi Fan–Shu Xian exited with a plus-one record.
Thinaah admitted they were far from satisfied with their performance despite sealing top spot.
“We’re really happy to reach the semis, but looking back at today’s match, we didn’t play the way we wanted to in the first game,” said Thinaah.
“We discussed our shot execution in the second game and it improved. Even though we stayed calm in the third, the Japanese pair really pressured us at the crucial moments.
“Overall, we’re pleased, but there are still things we need to improve. We need to stay focused, rest well and prepare for the next match.”
Pearly, meanwhile, was more concerned about her physical condition after battling flu during last week’s SEA Games, where the pair delivered Malaysia’s only badminton gold medal in Thailand.
She was relieved to come through the match unscathed and is determined to push on in Saturday’s last-four clash.
“My main focus was to enjoy the game and stay healthy because there were moments when my legs felt weak,” said Pearly.
The result marked a dramatic turnaround from last year’s World Tour Finals, where Pearly-Thinaah lost all three group matches and exited early in Hangzhou.
On current form, however, the Malaysians appear genuine contenders to go all the way and to land the biggest payday of their careers, with US$252,000 (RM1.03 million) on offer for the women’s doubles champions this weekend.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
