KUALA LUMPUR: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah deserve praise for their unwavering fighting spirit in the face of adversity en route to losing in the All England quarter-finals yesterday.
Pearly had hurt her ankle a day earlier in the second round and could have chosen to withdraw but she showed up with Thinaah.
And despite their best efforts, they lost 17-21, 19-21 to world No. 3 Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida but of Japan in Birmingham yesterday. It was their 12th defeat to the Japanese pair.
Women’s doubles coach Rosman Razak applauded Pearly’s bravery and Thinaah’s commitment as the pair had the option to withdraw but chose to soldier on.
Given Pearly’s condition, he had to rethink their strategy.
“Pearly was not feeling well from the morning and complained of pain. She could not move as usual, and they went onto the court just to give it a try,” said Rosman.
“Since this was the All England, they still had the desire to continue the match.
“The strategy I tried to implement was for Thinaah to cover everything, and I commend her for executing it well.
“As we know, the Japanese pair is a strong team, but from our side, we did our best, considering Pearly’s injury. That was the outcome,” said Rosman when contacted.
Pearly tried to put up a fight with Thinaah providing support, but she was visibly uncomfortable and had to limp on one foot against Matsuyama-Shida.
Pearly-Thinaah’s defeat also marked the end of Malaysia’s campaign at this year’s All England after mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie fell in the quarter-finals to China’s Jiang Zhenbang-Huang Dongping, 18-21, 21-8, 21-10.
