Down but not out: Women doubles pair Pearly Tan- M. Thinaah in action against Thailand’s Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai in the Asia Team Championships at Setia Alam Convention Centre on Thursday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Are the days of Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah playing together coming to an end?
Could they go separate ways after the Paris Olympic Games in August if they are unable to show any improvement in their game or break into the top 10 standing in the world once more with their powerful attacking show?
One of the StarSport readers shared his opinion recently and felt that the 23-year-old Pearly should be featured in the mixed doubles event and even suggested for her to team up with Choong Hon Jian as he believed they could complement each other well.
He feels that the talent will go to waste if Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) do not make any changes.
Former internationals Datuk James Selvaraj, Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek and Ong Ewe Hock differ in their views of Pearly and Thinaah’s future as a pair.
James feels that Pearly-Thinaah had hit a plateau.
“Their games are flat now, as if they have stagnated. They have not been playing as good as before and their games are readable,” said James.
Different perspectives: (From left) James Selvaraj, Jalani Sidek and Ong Ewe Hock.
“They can play in the mixed doubles or even be given a younger pair in the women’s doubles. I believe it’s time to change but it’s best to make changes after the Paris Olympic Games.”
Pearly-Thinaah are ranked ninth in the Road to Paris ranking and only the top 16 pairs will make the cut.
“There is still a chance for them to qualify and who knows, they may surprise us at the Olympics. But for long-term planning, I think, their partnership should be reviewed after the Olympics.”
Jalani says Pearly-Tan need to know their own strengths to work their way up to the top again.
“I know they are working hard to find out what their problems are. They are now sparring with Indonesian boys, which is good. But the key is for Pearly and Thinaah to know for themselves what they need,” said Jalani.
“Thinaah has worked her way from a singles to a doubles player, her defensive game has improved while Pearly has made several comebacks from injuries.
“Surely, one will feel uneasy when the other is not moving up in the same pace. Even I can get upset with my own brother (Razif) if one is not playing well. That’s normal.
“I believe, if these two players can know their own strengths and appreciate their partners’ strong points, they can go far and beat the top pairs again.”
Ewe Hock does not want to think beyond the Paris Games.
“Let’s focus on the Olympics. I believe Pearly-Thinaah will qualify and even stand a chance of winning a bronze,” said Ewe Hock.
Pearly-Tan are finding it hard to regain their form after enjoying an exceptional year in 2022 where they won the French Open and emerged as the Commonwealth Games winners in Birmingham. They also won the 2021 Swiss Open and finished twice at last year’s Malaysian Masters and Hong Kong Open.
Pearly has been fighting hard after series of injuries while Thinaah has been working hard to complement her partner on court.
In the ongoing Asia Team Championships, the world No. 14 lost 22-20, 15-21, 19-21 to world No. 10 Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai. It was their first defeat after winning the last six on a trot.
Malaysia eventually lost the final group tie 1-4 to the Thais at the Setia City Convention Centre.
