Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M.Thinaah, are set to return to a familiar battleground this month, the Adidas Arena in Paris, as they gear up for the BWF World Championships. The world No.2 duo will be chasing a historic result at the same venue where they marked their names in Olympic history just a year ago.
The Parisian arena, formerly known as Arena Porte De La Chapelle, was the site of Pearly and Thinaah’s breakthrough performance at the Olympics 2024, where they became the first Malaysia women’s doubles pair to reach the semi-finals. Although they narrowly missed out spirited run marked a new high point for Malaysian women’s badminton.
Now, with the World Championships returning to that very court, expectations are high that Pearly and Thinaah will build on their past success. They enter the tournament with a strong momentum, having reached four World Tour finals this year and clinched the Thailand Open title in May.
Former national high performance director Datuk James Selvaraj believes that duo’s Olympic experience at the venue will serve them well
“Playing at the venue where you made history can have a positive impact. They know what the place is like. It was there they reached the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics. Now, they should try to enter the final. Whether they win or not, I don’t mind, but at least they must try,” said Datuk James.
He also emphasized the importance of communication and mental strength, calling on the pair to remain confident and push each other to perform at their best.
“They must learn to be confident. They must motivate themselves to play better. Only then can they advance to the final,” he added.
Pearly and Thinaah’s previous best results at the World Championships came in 2023 when they reached the quarter finals. With their current form and growing experience on the world stage, this year presents their best opportunity yet to break new ground.
Echoing Datuk James sentiments, former Olympic medalist Datuk Razif Sidek sees Malaysia’s greatest medal prospects in the doubles category.
“We have three pairs in the top seven on the world rankings. If the draw is favourable, they must take advantage of it.”
Both Datuk James and Datuk Razif acknowledged that Malaysia’s singles prospects remain uncertain, especially with independent star Lee Zii Jia sidelined due to an ankle injury since March. With the spotlight shifting to the doubles players, Pearly and Thinaah stand at the forefront of Malaysia’s medal hopes in Paris.
As they return to the court that once witnessed their Olympic breakthrough, Pearly Tan and M.Thinaah will be hoping for another magical run, one that could take them all the way to the top of the podium.
Sources: NST
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