Pearly-Thinaah break boundaries in 'Battle of the Sexes' face-off
KUALA LUMPUR: Sparks are set to fly in Bukit Kiara tomorrow (April 22) as Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah take on men's pair Kang Khai Xing-Lok Hong Quan in a rare and explosive "Battle of the Sexes" showdown during the Sudirman Cup simulation matches.
The women's doubles world No. 5 are relishing the chance to spar against the men's back-up pair in what promises to be one of the most eye-catching matchups of the simulation session at Academy Badminton Malaysia.
And that's not all.
The day will also see world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani go toe-to-toe with newly crowned Asian champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in a mouth-watering clash.
The BA of Malaysia (BAM) have shaken things up this time, tossing out the traditional five-match Sudirman Cup format in favour of a mix-and-match set-up designed to give all 20 players high-intensity warm-up battles ahead of the tournament in Xiamen from April 27-May 4.
"This simulation is about quality practice and involving the entire squad," said national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky. "Pearly-Thinaah and Tang Jie-Ee Wei will test themselves against men's pairs — it's all part of building confidence and readiness."
Mixed doubles Chan Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei will face men's pair Goh Boon Sze-Wee Yee Hern, while world No. 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai take on Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin in another duel.
In the men's singles, world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao will square off with world No. 46 Liew Daren, adding further fire to the all-star sparring slate.
The centralised training wraps up on Wednesday (April 23), with the team jetting off to Xiamen the next day.
Simulation matches
Tomorrow
First session (9am)
Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei vs Goh Boon Sze-Wee Yee Hern (men's doubles);
Women's doubles: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah vs Kang Khai Xing-Lok Hong Quan (men's doubles);
Men's singles: Leong Jun Hao vs Justin Hoh;
Women's singles: K. Letshanaa vs Goh Jin Wei.
Second session (10am)
Mixed doubles: Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin vs Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai;
Women's doubles: Go Pei Kee-Carmen Ting vs Cheng Su Hui-Tan Zhing Yi;
Men's doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik vs Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani;
Men's doubles: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun vs Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri.
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