In a groundbreaking achievement, shuttlers Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah have become the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to reach the semi-finals of the Olympics badminton. The world No. 12 pair defeated South Korea’s world No. 10 Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong in a commanding performance, winning 21-12, 21-13 in just 41 minutes.
In a pulsating quarter-final match, Pearly and Thinaah made history by becoming the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to reach the Olympic badminton semi-finals. The Malaysians in the crowd at the Porte De La Chapelle Arena erupted in celebration as the pair overcame the 2021 Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists in straight games. This victory marked only their second encounter with the South Korean duo, having previously lost to them in the 2021 World Tour Finals.
Pearly and Thinaah will now face the world No. 1 pair, China’s Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan, in the semi-finals. The Chinese duo secured their spot in the semis by defeating the world No. 21 Bulgarian sisters Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva in straight games, 21-15, 21-8. The Malaysians had faced Chen and Jia in the opening group stage match, where they narrowly lost 17-21, 20-22.
In the quarter-final match against the South Koreans, Pearly and Thinaah got off to a rousing start. They took advantage of their nervous opponents by establishing a commanding 7-0 lead within the first four minutes. Leading 11-5 at the break, they maintained their momentum to take the first game easily at 21-11 in just 16 minutes.
The second game saw a brief resurgence from Korean Duo, who took an early 2-0 lead. However, Pearly and Thinaah quickly regained their footing, keeping the score tight as the Koreans led by a slim 7-6 margin in seven minutes. The Malaysians then played some accurate shots and quick smashes to lead 11-8 during the break. The duo went on to win the game 21-13 in 21 minutes.
Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah’s journey to the Olympic semi-finals is a testament to their grit, determination, and exceptional talent. Their historic achievement not only brings pride to Malaysia.As they prepare to face the world’s top-ranked pair, the nation eagerly awaits another thrilling performance from this dynamic duo.
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