![[UPDATED] Pearly-Thinaah break Singapore hoodoo](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FefThinaah_1748498874.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] Pearly-Thinaah break Singapore hoodoo
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 4 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah finally shook off their Singapore Open hoodoo, and now they've got revenge on their minds.
The Malaysian top women's pair kept up their strong form by battling past Japan's Mayu Matsumoto-Yuki Fukushima 25-23, 21-18 in the second round today to reach the quarter-finals for the first time at this tournament.
The Super 750 meet had been anything but kind to Pearly-Thinaah in their previous two outings.
They were forced to withdraw from their 2022 debut due to Pearly's elbow injury, and lost in the opening round last year.
"It definitely feels like a small breakthrough," said Thinaah.
"But we didn't let the past affect our game today. Moving forward, we just want to stay prepared and focused."
Pearly admitted she had to rely on her partner during a nervy opener where they squandered three game points at 20–17 before finally sealing it 25–23.
"I made a lot of simple mistakes and gave away too many points," said Pearly.
"Luckily, I had Thinaah by my side, she helped and covered me a lot. That first game was crucial. We were leading, they caught up, but I'm happy we managed to finish it off."
The win sets them up for a likely quarter-final clash with China's fast-rising pair Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian, who beat them in the Malaysia Masters semi-finals just last week.
Yi Fan may be in a new partnership, but she's one of the most decorated names in the sport. The 27-year-old clinched Olympic gold in Paris last year alongside Chen Qing Chen.
Since teaming up with Shu Xian this season, the pair have reached the semi-finals or better in six of their seven World Tour outings. They've claimed the Swiss Open title and finished runners-up at both the Malaysia Open and Malaysia Masters.
The rivalry with Pearly-Thinaah is beginning to take shape.
The Malaysians won their first meeting at the India Open when Yi Fan-Shu Xian were forced to retire at 14-4, but the Chinese pair struck back with victories at Orleans Masters and Malaysia Masters.
For Pearly-Thinaah, tomorrow's clash offers more than just redemption. They are aiming to reach their third straight semi-final, having won the Thailand Open earlier this month and made the last four at the Malaysia Masters.
"Today, the draught was a lot better, but there are still court conditions we need to adapt to," added Thinaah. "That said, we don't want anything to affect our game tomorrow. We just want to stay sharp."
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