Malaysia’s national women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan, have made history by winning the 2026 Denmark Open, ending the country’s 18-year wait for the prestigious title.
The world No.5 pair defeated Japan’s Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita 21-8, 21-11 in the final at Jyske Bank Arena in Odense, Denmark on October 18, 2026. The match lasted just 36 minutes, securing the Malaysian duo their second Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour title of the year.
Malaysia’s Historic Return to the Top
The victory marks the first time since 2008 that Malaysia has won the Denmark Open women’s doubles title. The previous Malaysian champions were Wong Pei Tty and Chin Eei Hui, who claimed the crown 18 years ago.
With this achievement, Pearly and Thinaah become only the second Malaysian women’s doubles pair to win the title in the tournament’s 90-year history, adding another significant milestone to Malaysian badminton.
Strong Performance Secures the Championship
Pearly and Thinaah faced a competitive challenge in the opening game, eventually securing a 21-18 win before stepping up their performance in the second game to claim it 21-11.
Their journey to the final also featured a convincing semi-final victory over China’s Bao Li Jing and Cao Zi Han, whom they defeated 21-16, 21-14. Earlier, they overcame India’s Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand in the quarter-finals to secure their place among the tournament’s finalists.
Second Title of the Season
The Denmark Open triumph is Pearly and Thinaah’s second title of 2026, following their victory at the Indonesia Masters in January. However, their latest achievement was particularly significant as they secured the championship through a win on court, having received a walkover in the Indonesia Masters final after their opponents withdrew.
The victory also represents an encouraging step forward for the Malaysian pair as they continue to build momentum on the international circuit. Their latest success reinforces their position among the world’s leading women’s doubles partnerships and gives Malaysian badminton fans another achievement to celebrate.
Pearly and Thinaah’s historic victory not only ends an 18-year wait but also highlights their determination and consistency in competing at the highest level, bringing the Denmark Open women’s doubles crown back to Malaysia.
Source: FMT
