Latest news with #IndonesiaOpen
New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Tang Jie-Ee Wei off to flying start in Changzhou
KUALA LUMPUR: Fourth seeds Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei opened their China Open campaign in commanding fashion, dispatching American duo Presley Smith-Jennie Gai in straight games in the opening round on Tuesday. The world No. 4 overcame a late scare in the opening game before pulling away for a 22–20, 21–12 win in 35 minutes at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in Changzhou. It was Tang Jie-Ee Wei's second win over the world No. 29 Americans, having also defeated them in straight games at the Singapore Open in May. Tang Jie-Ee Wei , semi-finalists at the Indonesia Open and Japan Open in recent weeks, are hoping to sustain their fine form as they look to better their China Open result from last year, where they exited in the last 16. The Malaysians had enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in their 2023 debut, reaching the semi-finals of the Super 1000 tournament. They will take on either compatriots Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin or China's Gao Jia Xuan-Wu Meng Ying, with fans certainly hopeful for an all-Malaysian clash that would guarantee a pair in the quarter-finals.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pearly-Thinaah now the hunted in world badminton
KUALA LUMPUR: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are no longer the hunters — they're now being hunted. The world No. 3 women's doubles pair have become a serious threat on the World Tour, and even badminton powerhouse China are beginning to take notice. Former international Woon Khe Wei believes Pearly-Thinaah's rapid rise has top nations on high alert, especially after their stunning run at last week's Japan Open. The Malaysians shocked home favourites and world No. 2 Chiharu Shida-Nami Matsuyama 21-13, 21-11 in the semi-finals, before falling 21-15, 21-14 to China's world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning in the final. The back-to-back runners-up finish — following a similar result at last month's Indonesia Open — came hot on the heels of their four-year contract extension with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). "After the Japan Open, rival nations will definitely be more worried," said Khe Wei, a 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist. "Pearly-Thinaah have shown they can apply serious pressure on the world's best. Even China's top pairs are now preparing specifically to face them. "Reaching their first Super 750 final is a breakthrough. It justifies their ranking among the world's top three." Khe Wei believes the pair's new aggressive approach, coupled with a strong coach-player relationship, could see them go even further at this week's China Open in Changzhou. "They've been more confident and fearless lately. Now that the contract issue is settled, they're more relaxed and focused — on and off court," she added. "Financially, they're secure. They don't have that stress anymore, and that's a big relief for any athlete. "Their partnership with national coach Rosman Razak has also flourished. He's brought structure and clarity to their game, helped them refine their strategies, and kept them composed in pressure situations. "He communicates well, and his tactical input has elevated their performance, especially in big matches." Pearly-Thinaah will start their China Open campaign on Wednesday against world No. 42 Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee in Changzhou They're on course for rematches against Shida-Matsuyama and Sheng Shu-Tan Ning, as they chase their maiden Super 1000 crown.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pearly-Thinaah take positives from painful loss in Tokyo final
KUALA LUMPUR: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah's dream run came to a screeching halt at the Japan Open on Sunday, but the world No. 3 pair are taking the painful defeat on the chin. After a sensational semi-final win over their long-time nemeses, Japan's world No. 2 Chiharu Shida-Nami Matsuyama, hopes were high that Pearly-Thinaah would become the first Malaysians to lift the women's doubles title in Tokyo. But China's Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning had other ideas. The Chinese pair were simply unstoppable, dismantling the Malaysians 21-15, 21-14 in just 45 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, handing Pearly-Thinaah a ruthless reminder of the work still to be done. "Our game plan didn't work. They read us very well," said Pearly. "We couldn't adapt, and we need to learn from this." "We always support each other — win or lose — and we want to carry this spirit into the upcoming tournaments." The performance was in stark contrast to their epic battle in last month's Indonesia Open final, where Pearly-Thinaah pushed the Chinese pair to the limit before narrowly losing 23-25, 21-12, 21-19. But in Tokyo, Sheng Shu-Tan Ning, who now lead their head-to-head 9-3, executed a flawless game plan from start to finish, never allowing the Malaysians to find their rhythm. Thinaah admitted that their confidence took a hit. "We knew what we had to do, but just couldn't pull it off today," she said. "Their pace and precision really put us under pressure. "What's important now is to stay confident, no matter the scoreline. We'll learn from this and prepare for next week." National coach Rosman Razak gave credit where it was due. "We lost to a better pair today. Pearly-Thinaah tried to vary their shots, but made too many unforced errors," he said. "The opponents' defence and attack were very consistent." Still, Rosman believes there were plenty of positives, especially in the pair's semi-final breakthrough over Shida-Matsuyama — only their second win in 15 meetings. "They played well throughout the week. Progress is ongoing, and they're staying positive ahead of the China Open. "The key now is recovery. There's still a long season ahead." Pearly-Thinaah now turn their attention to the Super 1000 China Open, which begins Tuesday, armed with renewed focus and a fresh reminder of what it takes to beat the very best.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Pearly-Thinaah fall short in Japan Open 2025 Final
PEARLY TAN -M. Thinaah stumbled in their bid to become the first Malaysian women's doubles pair to land the Japan Open title, falling to world number one Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning of China in the 2025 final in Tokyo today. The Super 750 final at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium began on level terms, with both pairs locked at 6-6. However, the top-seeded and defending champions Sheng Shu-Tan Ning soon took control, ramping up the pressure to pull ahead 19-10 before closing out the first game 21-15. Sheng Shu-Tan Ning picked up right where they left off in the second game, storming to a 4-0 lead and stretching it to 14-7 before winning at 21-14 to retain the title in 45 minutes. The defeat dashed Pearly-Thinaah's hopes of avenging last month's Indonesia Open final loss to the same opponents, where they went down 25-23, 12-21, 19-21. Today's result also marked Pearly-Thinaah's ninth defeat in 12 meetings against Sheng Shu-Tan Ning. As the runners-up, Pearly-Thinaah pocketed USD33,250 (around RM141,000) while Sheng Shu-Tan Ning walked away with USD70,300 (about RM298,000) as champions. The world number three pair also matched the achievement of Malaysian legends Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, who were runners-up in the Japan Open 2008 edition. The 2022 Commonwealth Games champions have had a good season so far, capturing the Thailand Open title in May and finishing second at the Indonesia Masters in January - BERNAMA
Barnama
3 days ago
- Sport
- Barnama
World No.1 Chinese Pair Denies Pearly-Thinaah Japan Open Glory
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah stumbled in their bid to become the first Malaysian women's doubles pair to land the Japan Open title, falling to world number one Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning of China in the 2025 final in Tokyo today. The Super 750 final at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium began on level terms, with both pairs locked at 6-6. However, the top-seeded and defending champions Sheng Shu-Tan Ning soon took control, ramping up the pressure to pull ahead 19-10 before closing out the first game 21-15. bootstrap slideshow Sheng Shu-Tan Ning picked up right where they left off in the second game, storming to a 4-0 lead and stretching it to 14-7 before winning at 21-14 to retain the title in 45 minutes. The defeat dashed Pearly-Thinaah's hopes of avenging last month's Indonesia Open final loss to the same opponents, where they went down 25-23, 12-21, 19-21. Today's result also marked Pearly-Thinaah's ninth defeat in 12 meetings against Sheng Shu-Tan Ning. As the runners-up, Pearly-Thinaah pocketed USD33,250 (around RM141,000) while Sheng Shu-Tan Ning walked away with USD70,300 (about RM298,000) as champions. The world number three pair also matched the achievement of Malaysian legends Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, who were runners-up in the Japan Open 2008 edition. The 2022 Commonwealth Games champions have had a good season so far, capturing the Thailand Open title in May and finishing second at the Indonesia Masters in January.
