Double delight for Rosman as Pei Kee-Mei Xing shine
PETALING JAYA: National women's doubles coach Rosman Razak had every reason to smile at the China Open as two pairs – Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing – advanced to the quarter-finals in sheer style.
His young pair Pei Kee-Mei Xing turned up as a surprise package when they stunned sixth seeds Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi of Japan 26-24, 7-21, 21-18 in a gruelling 63-minute second round match yesterday.
Pei Kee-Mei Xing, who had previously come under fire for their inconsistent performances and a noticeable gulf in quality compared to Pearly-Thinaah, rose to the occasion with a spirited display against the Japanese pair.
However, a sterner test awaits them next as they take on home favourites Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian.
Pearly-Thinaah, who defeated Japan's Rui Hirokami-Sayaka Hobara 21-17, 21-13 yesterday, are set to climb one rung to No. 2 in the world rankings next week following their consistent showing.
They are set to surpass Japan's Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida following the latter's early exit from the ongoing China Open.
Today, Pearly-Thinaah will face either Indonesia's Febriana Kusuma-Amallia Pratiwi or Japan's Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto.
Said Pearly: 'I think it wasn't the most comfortable match, and our opponents were strong as well. But we're glad we managed to keep each other calm and take control of some of the crucial shots,' said Pearly.
'We're hoping to stay on track and keep our confidence up.
'Physically, there's definitely some fatigue, but the most important thing is supporting each other throughout the match. If we can do that, anything is possible,' added Thinaah.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Badminton - Shi, Wang triumph in all-Chinese China Open finals as host dominates home tournament with four titles
China's Shi Yuqi celebrates after defeating compatriot Wang Zhengxing in the men's singles final at the China Open badminton tournament in Changzhou, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on July 27, 2025. -- Photo by AFP BEIJING (Reuters): Shi Yuqi and Wang Zhiyi lifted the men's and women's titles at the China Open on Sunday (July 27), prevailing in the all-Chinese finals to cap a golden week in Changzhou. It was another strong showing for world number three Shi following his Japan Open title last week. The 29-year-old came back from a game down to beat Wang Zhengxing 14-21 21-14 21-15 in little more than an hour. Wang had a narrow 7-5 lead early in the second game, but Shi took over from there, dominating the rallies and never trailing again. It was Shi's third Super 1000 title of the year after winning the Malaysia Open and the All England Open. In the women's final, defending champion Wang Zhiyi secured a dominant 21-8 21-13 win over Han Yue, who had advanced after South Korea's reigning Olympic champion An Se-young retired injured in the semi-finals. The 24-year-old world number two ended a frustrating run of three straight Super 1000 final defeats this year, all to world number one An. It was Wang's second title of the year, adding to her Malaysia Masters win, where she also beat Han in the final. Wang surged to a 13-4 lead in the opener and though Han tried to claw back in the second game, narrowing the gap to 17-13, Wang's sharp movement and relentless aggression helped her close out the match in just over half an hour. China's supremacy on home soil could not be questioned as foreign players fell at the semi-final stage in all formats except for the men's doubles, which was won by Indonesians Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. The pair beat Malaysian second seeded duo Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi-Yik 21-15 21-14 and performed the viral "aura farming" Indonesian boat race dance in front of the Chinese crowd, much to their delight. It was the first time in a decade that an unseeded men's pair has won the China Open. In women's doubles, top seeds Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning overcame Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan 24-22 17-21 21-14. Top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated second-seeded Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin 23-21 21-17 to clinch the mixed doubles title. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru Editing by Christian Radnedge) - Reuters
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Red Giants battle Asia Warriors to stalemate
PETALING JAYA: Selangor drew 0-0 against the Asia Warriors, led by Japanese legend, Keisuke Honda, in a friendly match at MBPJ Stadium today. The match also served as the unveiling of Selangor's 2025-2026 M-League squad. Among the fresh faces in the Red Giants' lineup were Willian Lira, Moses Raj, Picha Autra, Chrigor Moraes and Zach Clough. In the ninth minute, Selangor captain Faisal Halim nearly created a goal with a pinpoint cross to Lira who forced a save from Asia Warriors' veteran goalkeeper Made Wirawan. The 44-year-old Wirawan suffered a knee injury in the 12th minute, and was replaced by Yoo Jaehoon. Selangor's best chance came in the 55th minute when Sharul Nazeem Zulpakar, who replaced Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar at halftime, spun and unleashed a low shot, only to be denied by Yoo. Asia Warriors suffered another blow late in the game when Daisuke Sato was stretchered off in the 78th minute.
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Aaron-Wooi Yik eye Paris redemption
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik want to win something bigger to make up for the China Open heartbreak today. What could be bigger than the China Open which is already a Super 1000 tournament? There is one, and Aaron-Wooi Yik did not hide their intentions. Win the Paris World Championships next month. World No 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik believe they can do it again, having won the world crown in 2022. Till today, they are the only Malaysian shuttlers to have won a world title. Aaron-Wooi Yik failed again to win their first Super 1000 title — in six attempts — after a 21-15, 21-14 loss to Indonesia's new pair Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri in Changzhou today. "We want to focus on our preparation for the World Championships. The gold in Paris is the ultimate goal for any pair," said Aaron. "We'll head home, recover, and get back on court to prepare well for the event." Perhaps, it should come as a relief to Aaron-Wooi Yik that Fajar-Shohibul will not compete as a pair in Paris despite their blistering performance in the China Open. Fajar will resume his partnership with his regular partner, Rian Ardianto. Wooi Yik acknowledged that while there will be high expectations for a podium finish in Paris, he believes they can deliver under top notch coach Herry IP.
