Smiling again: Pearly Tan (left) and M. Thinaah reach the final of the Indonesian Masters. — ART CHEN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Women's doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan. M. Thinaah continued their fine run in the Indonesian Masters by storming into the final.
Pearly-Thinaah rose to the occasion by beating South Korea's Lee Yu-lim-Lee Yeon-woo 21-19, 21-16 at Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Saturday (Jan 25).
The world No. 7 pair have now reached their first final since finishing runners-up to China's world No. 2 Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning in the Arctic Open last October.
Standing in Pearly-Thinaah's way to their first title this year is another Korean pair Kim Hye-jeong-Kong Hee-yong.
The national No. 1 duo lost to the latter in the last four of the Indian Open in New Delhi last week and will be out for a revenge. Pearly-Thinaah last won a title in the Hong Kong Open last September.
"This is an important win for us as we have always been trying to get back our best game and momentum," said Thinaah in post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
"We have been through lots of ups and downs. So, this win boosts our confidence.
If the Malaysians win, they will be the second women's pair to win the title after Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo's feat in 2011.
