KUALA LUMPUR: Women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah face a crucial All-England quarter-final clash against Japan’s Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida at 5.30pm on Friday (March 14) – but questions remain over whether or not they can play.
Concerns are there over Pearly’s fitness after she twisted her left ankle during their second-round match against Indonesia’s Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti on Thursday (March 13).
Women's doubles coach Rosman Razak declined to comment as the medical team is still monitoring the 24-year-old’s condition.
However, he remained hopeful that Pearly and Thinaah would be fit to play.
"It's too early to comment on the injury. We will wait for updates.
"Both players are still in high spirits and highly motivated. Let’s hope they can compete," he said when contacted.
During Thursday's match at Utilita Arena in Birmingham, Pearly displayed remarkable fighting spirit despite her injury midway through the second game.
She pushed through the pain to complete the match, helping secure a 21-16, 21-14 victory over Apriyani-Siti Fadia.
However, the challenge against Matsuyama-Shida will be tougher, given their unfavourable record against the Japanese pair.
Out of 12 previous encounters, Pearly-Thinaah have won just once, during the French Open quarter-finals three years ago.
