KUALA LUMPUR – With a bumper new contract reportedly worth RM1 million each, a final in Japan, and a semi-final in China, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah are peaking at just the right time ahead of next month’s World Championships in Paris.
The national women’s doubles pair, who recently committed to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, are beginning to show why the investment was made.
Fresh from reaching the final of the Japan Open last week, Pearly and Thinaah produced another strong performance at the Super 1000 China Open, before bowing out in the semi-finals to China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shuxian 21-14, 21-17 today.
The two-week run has not only boosted their confidence but will also see them climb to a career-high world No. 2 in the next Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings.
Their back-to-back deep runs come as a huge relief after months of speculation over their future. And with their BAM deal finally sealed, the focus is now fully on performance.
“I think there are a lot of positive lessons for us. No matter win or lose, we’re gaining experience and building momentum. That’s the most important thing ahead of Paris,” said Pearly in the post-match interview with BWF.
Thinaah agreed, adding: “We’re happy with the rhythm we’ve found going into our matches. There’s still room for improvement, but we’re staying grounded and focused on what’s next.”
Despite being undone today by fast play and challenging court drift, Pearly and Thinaah showed flashes of resilience, especially in the second game.
“They played really well at the front and used the wind to their advantage. We did better after changing our strategy, but it came a bit too late,” said Pearly.
On top of their annual salaries, the duo are also expected to pocket a healthy performance bonus from BAM for their recent success.
With renewed focus and the solid backing of BAM behind them, Pearly and Thinaah look poised to lead Malaysia’s charge for a historic women’s doubles medal at the upcoming World Championships. – July 26, 2025