Latest news with #Pearly-Thinaah
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pearly-Thinaah too predictable, must change strategy, says ex-shuttler
KUALA LUMPUR: Women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah have become too predictable and must make drastic changes to their strategy and gameplay if they want to remain competitive on the World Tour, warns former international Datuk James Selvaraj. James said the rise of new combinations from China, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia could make life increasingly difficult for the world No. 4, especially at top-tier events like the Super 750 and Super 1000 tournaments, as well as the Olympics, World Championships and Asian Games. He also urged caution following their Thailand Open triumph two weeks ago, noting that only Indonesia's world No. 9 Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi, apart from Pearly-Thinaah, featured from the world's top 10 in that Super 500 event. "Pearly-Thinaah have started losing to a number of new pairs recently. They're also struggling to beat the world's top-three pairs," said James. "They've become too predictable and need to rethink their game. Their coach Rosman Razak may have to revamp their training, introduce new tactics and push for better shot quality and variation if they want to compete with the elite." "They're focused on reducing unforced errors, which is good, but without improving the sharpness of their game and shaking things up tactically, they're going to continue to struggle." Pearly-Thinaah have a poor record against the current top pairs: Tey trail 7-3 against China's world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning and 13-1 against Japan's world No. 2 Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida. They have also lost all three of their matches to South Korea's world No. 10 Hwang Ye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong, while the emerging Chinese pair Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian, ranked No. 11, have already beaten them three times in four encounters, including in the quarter-finals of the Singapore Open on Friday. James also advised the pair to remain with the BA of Malaysia (BAM) instead of going independent. "I believe they can still improve under BAM. I don't think Rosman is willing to leave the national set-up to coach them independently," he said. "BAM should provide them with the flexibility and support they need to make the necessary changes. I doubt they'll get the same level of resources and structure if they strike out on their own." The pair are reportedly seeking a better deal in their new contract. BAM, however, claim they have already offered an attractive package. The contract wrangle is expected to be settled after the Super 1000 Indonesia Open, which begins on Tuesday. Sheng Shu-Tan Ning and Matsuyama-Shida are both returning to action in Jakarta and will be among the top threats as Pearly-Thinaah play their fourth tournament in as many weeks.
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Pearly-Thinaah have few giants to slay in bid to reach the summit
PETALING JAYA: Women doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (pic) have broken into the world's top four, but the climb to the very summit is proving tougher than ever as fierce rivals continue to test their mettle. Their latest threat comes from the Chinese pair Jia Yifan, world champion and Paris Olympic gold medallist, who has now teamed up with Zhang Shuxian. Although they have only been paired for about seven months, they have quickly established themselves as formidable rivals to Pearly-Thinaah. Pearly-Thinaah, ranked fourth currently, came close to defeating the Chinese pair in the quarter-finals of the Singapore Open on Thursday but still fall short, losing 21-14, 22-24, 14-21. It was Pearly-Thinaah's third straight defeat to the Chinese pair in four meetings so far, including losses at the Malaysian Masters last week and the Orleans Masters in March. Their only win came in their first encounter at the Indian Open in January, but that victory was handed to them after Shuxian was forced to retire due to injury. 'I think it's quite sad and disappointing that we lost, especially since we didn't take the opportunity in the second game after catching up. But overall, I think we've been doing quite well,' said Thinaah. 'We just need to keep supporting and motivating each other. Moving forward, we'll stay focused and prepare for the next tournament.' In the past, Pearly-Thinaah also found it tough going against Yifan and her original partner Chen Qingchen, suffering eight defeats in nine meetings. The Chinese pair had even ended their hopes of reaching the final at the Paris Olympics last August. There was some redemption last week, though, when Pearly-Thinaah overcame Qingchen and her new partner Wang Tingge at the Thailand Open. But Yifan-Shuxian aren't the only Chinese pair posing a threat. World No. 1 duo Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning have also proven to be a major obstacle. Still, the most daunting opponents remain Japan's Chiharu Shida-Nami Matsuyama, who hold a dominant 13-1 record over the Malaysians. Therefore, Pearly-Thinaah will need to work even harder if they are to establish themselves as one of the most feared women's pairs in the world. Their next stop is the Indonesian Open in Jakarta, where they will open their campaign against Taiwan's Teng Chun-hsun and Yang Chu-yun in the first round.
![[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)
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
[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."
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Olympic champ Yi Fan piles more misery on Pearly-Thinaah
KUALA LUMPUR: Jia Yi Fan, the Paris Olympic champion, once toyed with Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah on the World Tour with her former partner Chen Qing Chen. Now, she's doing it again — this time with Zhang Shu Xian. The Chinese pair, ranked world No. 11, downed Pearly-Thinaah 14-21, 24-22, 21-14 in the Singapore Open quarter-finals on Friday. It was their third win in four meetings, including a semi-final triumph at last week's Malaysia Masters. A dejected Thinaah admitted they failed to seize their chances after taking the opening game. "We're quite sad and disappointed," she said. "We didn't take the opportunity after catching up. But overall, we've been doing well and just need to stay focused." "We dropped off a bit in the first half of the third game, but we wanted to keep pushing. We've always had each other's backs and will continue to do so heading into the next tournament." Pearly-Thinaah's only win over the Chinese pair came at India Open in January when Shu Xian retired hurt while trailing 14-4 in the second round. While they may avoid Yi Fan-Shu Xian early at next week's Indonesia Open, danger still looms in the form of China's world No. 5 Li Yi Jing-Luo Xu Min — a potential quarter-final clash.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Badminton: Pearly Tan-Thinaah run out of steam again in second straight loss to Chinese pair
PETALING JAYA: Women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah were once again left heartbroken after falling to China's Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian 21-14, 22-24, 14-21 in the Singapore Open quarter-finals on Friday (May 30). The Malaysians started strongly at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, taking control in the opening game with confident play. Despite trailing in the second game, Pearly-Thinaah mounted an impressive fightback and were on the verge of sealing victory. However, they failed to convert their chances, allowing Yifan-Shuxian to turn the tide and force a decider. The momentum swung firmly in the Chinese pair's favour in the third game and after a gruelling 73-minute battle, Pearly-Thinaah conceded defeat. It was the second consecutive loss for Pearly-Thinaah to the Chinese duo, having also lost to them in the Malaysian Masters semi-finals last week.
