Malaysia’s women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M.Thinaah saw their Singapore Open run come to a heartbreaking end after a three-game defeat to China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in the quarter finals.
Ranked 4th in the world, Pearly and Thinaah started strong at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, securing the first game 21-14. The duo then had two match points in the second game and appeared poised to advance to the semi-finals. However, the 11th-ranked Chinese pair made a comeback, forcing a decider with a 24-22 win before taking the rubber game 21-14 in a 72 minute battle.
It was another close but painful loss for Pearly and Thinaah, who now trail 1-3 head-to-head record against Yi Fan and Shu Xian. The Malaysian’s defeat also marked the end of their Singapore Open campaign and dashed hopes of another deep tournament run.
In the men’s doubles category, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, gave Malaysian fans something to cheer about with a commanding victory over Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun. The world No.3 pair, fresh from their Asian Championship title, avenged their loss in last week’s Malaysia Masters final, cruising to a 22-20, 21-17, win in just 33 minutes.
Their victory sets up a highly anticipated semi-final clash against, India’s dynamic duo, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who had earlier ousted Malaysia’s top seeds Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in straight games.
Malaysia’s game continues in the mixed doubles and men’s singles, where Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai and Leong Jun Hao were also eliminated in the quarter finals, ending their title hopes.
With only Chia and Soh left in the draw, Malaysian hopes now rest on the shoulders of the men’s doubles as they aim to reach the final and secure a title for the nation.
Source: FMT
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