Stopped in the last four: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah found China’s Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian too hot to handle in the semi-finals.
KUALA LUMPUR: Women’s doubles coach Rosman Razak is satisfied with shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah’s overall performance in the Malaysian Masters amid the pair’s ongoing contract standoff with the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
Pearly-Thinaah reached the semi-finals before going down fighting 16-21, 21-15, 14-21 to China’s Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian on Saturday at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Despite the defeat, Rosman was pleased with the pair’s overall efforts as they did not allow their contract situation to distract them on court.
World No. 4 Pearly-Thinaah have still not renewed their contracts with BAM which expired last December and are set to meet officials soon for final talks.
The pair though brushed off their uncertain situation to capture the Thailand Open in Bangkok last week and fought off fatigue to reach the last four in the home tourney.
“It has been two intense weeks for Pearly-Thinaah and the most important thing is they did not let external issues distract them in training and in tournaments,” said Rosman.
“They have stayed professional and remained focused which is exactly what a coach wants from players.
“Back-to-back tournaments is normal for top players and this is not an issue for Pearly-Thinaah.
“Personally, I’m satisfied with their overall performance. They lost to a stronger pair in the semi-finals but they already gave their best.”
On the defeat to Yifan-Shuxian, Rosman said: “The Chinese pair were consistent in the front court while our pair struggled in this area.
“They tried their best to match the Chinese pair’s speed but the latter were better.”
Pearly-Thinaah don’t have much time for a breather as they are due to play in the Singapore Open next which starts tomorrow.
The duo will face Hong Kong’s Lui Lok Lok-Tsang Hiu Yan in their opening match.
Pearly-Thinaah will be Malaysia’s sole representatives in the women’s doubles in the tourney.
