KUCHING: National women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Indonesia Open after overcoming Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Ya Ching and Sung Yu-Hsuan in straight games today (June 4).
The Malaysian pair were made to work hard for their victory before eventually prevailing 21-18, 21-19 in a fiercely contested round of 16 encounter at Istora Senayan.
Fresh from dispatching Canada’s Crystal Lai and Jeslyn Dent in the opening round, Pearly and Thinaah entered the match looking to maintain their momentum against the unseeded Taiwanese pair.
The Malaysians started brightly, using their trademark attacking play to dictate the pace of the opening game.
However, Hsu and Sung refused to be overawed, matching the Malaysians in several fast-paced exchanges and forcing Pearly and Thinaah to remain alert throughout.
Despite the resistance, the Malaysians managed to edge ahead during the latter stages of the set before closing it out 21-16.
The second game proved an even sterner test.
Both pairs traded points in a tightly contested battle, with neither side able to establish a significant advantage.
The Taiwanese pair repeatedly threatened to force a decider, but Pearly and Thinaah responded with timely winners and composed play under pressure.
As the intensity grew, every rally carried added significance, with both pairs fighting for control in front of the packed Istora Senayan crowd.
The Malaysians eventually held their nerve in the closing stages, sealing a 21-19 victory to wrap up the match in straight games as they continue their pursuit of a maiden Indonesia Open title.
Elsewhere, Malaysia enjoyed mixed fortunes in the round of 16.
Men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy 21-11, 21-13 for their first victory over the English duo.
However, Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai were unable to build on their promising start, falling 21-16, 15-21, 19-21 to India’s Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun.
Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik suffered a surprise 14-21, 14-21 loss to Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani.
In the men’s singles department, Leong Jun Hao also exited the tournament after a 16-21, 15-21 defeat to France’s Alex Lanier.
In mixed doubles, Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing bowed out after a 14-21, 22-24 defeat to Thailand’s second seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran.
Women’s singles shuttler Letshanaa Karupathevan also saw her campaign end following a 15-21, 18-21 defeat to Japan’s third seed Akane Yamaguchi.
