Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, booked their place in the third round of the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris after easing past their Hong Kong rivals yesterday. In their second-round clash at the Adidas Arena, the world number two duo wrapped up a convincing 21-17, 21-14 win over Lui Lok Lok and Tsang Hiu Yan in just 37 minutes.
Pearly-Thinaah will next face either the French duo Tea Margueritte and Flavie Vallet or Indonesia’s Lanny Tria Mayasari and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti.
Earlier, national men’s doubles pair Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King cruised past Thailand’s Kittinupong Kedren and Dechapol Puavaranukroh with a 21-13, 21-17 win to book their spot in the third round. Wan Arif and Roy King are set to meet either former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik or Scotland’s Christopher and Matthew Grimley, with the prospect of an all-Malaysian clash looking highly likely on paper.
Mixed doubles pairs Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin and Goh Soon Huat-Lai Shevon Jemie also progressed, with Pang Ron-Su Yin defeating Germany’s Malik Bourakkadi-Leona Michalski 21-10, 18-21, 21-12, while Soon Huat-Shevon overcame Thailand’s Pakkapon Teeraratsakul-Phataimas Muenwong 21-19, 21-15. The two Malaysian pairs will square off against each other in the third round.
The tournament does not offer prize money, with only gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded. However, it carries immense prestige and provides the highest ranking points among all BWF events, making it crucial for players aiming to secure qualification for the prestigious World Tour Finals in December.
Champions earn 14,500 ranking points, while the runners-up receive 12,500. Semi-finalists collect 10,500 points, quarter-finalists take home 8,200, and players reaching the last 16 are awarded 6,000 points.
With several Malaysian shuttlers advancing confidently, the nation’s hopes remain strong at the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris. Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah continue to spearhead the charge in women’s doubles, while the men’s and mixed doubles pairs also look promising. As the tournament heats up, the chase for valuable ranking points and the prestige of a world medal is set to intensify, keeping Malaysian fans eagerly anticipating more success on the court.
Source: Malay Mail, Free Malaysia Today
