Pearly-Thinaah No Longer Underdogs — Malaysia’s Top Women’s Doubles Pair Are Now the Ones to Beat

Malaysia’s women’s doubles stars Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah have stepped into the spotlight as serious contenders on the World Tour, moving from underdogs to one of the most feared pairs in women’s badminton.

Following back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Indonesia Open and Japan Open, the world No. 3 duo have caught the attention of global giants — even traditional powerhouse China is starting to take them seriously.

A Breakthrough Performance in Japan

At the Japan Open, Pearly-Thinaah pulled off a stunning upset in the semi-finals, dominating Japan’s world No. 2 pair Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama with a commanding 21-13, 21-11 victory. Though they fell short in the final to China’s world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning (21-15, 21-14), their journey was nothing short of remarkable.

This breakthrough follows the signing of a four-year contract extension with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) — a deal that not only secured their future but boosted their confidence heading into major tournaments.

Rival Nations on Alert

According to former Commonwealth gold medallist Woon Khe Wei, top badminton nations are now taking notice.

“Pearly-Thinaah have become a serious threat,” said Khe Wei. “Even China’s top pairs are preparing specifically to face them. That speaks volumes.”

The duo’s climb into the top 3 rankings is now fully justified. Their improved aggressive playing style, mental focus, and chemistry on court are making waves globally.

Coaching Makes a Difference

A major factor in their rise is their growing bond with national coach Rosman Razak. His calm approach and tactical insights have sharpened their strategies, especially in high-pressure matches.

“He’s brought structure and clarity to their game,” Khe Wei added. “Now that their contract is sorted, they’re financially stable, mentally relaxed, and fully focused on performance.”

Eyes on China Open 2025

Pearly-Thinaah begin their China Open 2025 campaign on Wednesday against fellow Malaysians Carmen Ting and Ong Xin Yee. Should they advance, rematches against Shida-Matsuyama and Liu-Tan could be on the horizon — giving them a real shot at capturing their first Super 1000 title.