Malaysia’s women’s doubles stars Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah have officially achieved a career-high world No. 2 ranking following their strong performance at the China Open in Changzhou. The pair, who were previously ranked No. 3, secured the jump after an impressive run that saw them reach the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament.
In the quarter-finals, Pearly-Thinaah produced a commanding display to defeat Japan’s world No. 8 duo Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto 21-16, 21-12. This dominant win extended their head-to-head record against the Japanese pair to 4-1 and pushed them past Japan’s Chiharu Shida-Nami Matsuyama in the latest world rankings.
The updated BWF world rankings, set to be released on Tuesday, will confirm Pearly-Thinaah’s new standing as the second-best women’s doubles pair in the world — closing the gap on current world No. 1s Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning of China.
Semi-Final Defeat to China’s Jia Yi Fan & Zhang Shu Xian
Despite their brilliant form, Pearly-Thinaah’s campaign ended in the semi-finals, where they fell to China’s world No. 7 pairing Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian. The Malaysian duo had been eager to continue their momentum but were ultimately unable to overcome their opponents, who had already beaten them three times earlier this year.
Speaking after their quarter-final victory, Pearly said, “We prepared well to counter the Japanese pair’s attacking game. Consistency is still something we are working on, and there is always room for improvement.”
Thinaah also expressed her gratitude, “With the support of our coaches, we hope to keep building on this momentum.”
A Remarkable Year for Pearly-Thinaah
Although their China Open journey ended in the semi-finals, Pearly-Thinaah’s 2024 season has been nothing short of remarkable. They clinched the Thailand Open title and reached the finals of the Indonesia Masters, Indonesia Open, and Japan Open. Additionally, they made it to the semi-finals of the Malaysia Masters, further establishing themselves as one of the top pairs in the badminton world.
Their consistent performances throughout the year and their new world No. 2 ranking cement their place among the elite, and Malaysian fans will be eagerly watching as the duo aims to challenge for the top spot in the months ahead.
Cheer for Your Favorite Athletes with Nova88 Sportsbook!
Want to be part of the action and support your favorite players like Pearly Tan & M. Thinaah? Join Nova88 Sportsbook today and enjoy exclusive promos, the best odds, and exciting rewards for all major badminton tournaments and other sports.
Sign up now with Nova88 Sportsbook and claim your exclusive welcome bonus! Don’t miss the chance to celebrate every smash, rally, and victory with us.
