National women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah posing after beating Indonesia's Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi in the quarter-final match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Friday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Women's doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah’s change in mindset is paying dividends.
Pearly-Thinaah smashed into their maiden World Tour Super 1000 final after impressively beating China’s world No. 6 Li Yijing-Luo Xumin in the Indonesian Open.
The world No. 4 pair looked down and out after losing the first game 12-21 but showed great fighting spirit and mental fortitude to storm back to claim 21-17, 21-11 victories in the next two games at the Istora Senayan in Saturday (June 7).
Pearly attributed the breakthrough win to the pair’s patient approach.
"We kept reminding each other to be patient. We didn’t want to rush. We just wanted to enjoy the game, whether win or lose," Pearly told the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
"Our change in mindset was the turning point for us. We grew in confidence and that helped us win today (yesterday)."
The win meant a lot for Pearly and Thinaah after previously struggling to even reach the last four in a Super 1000 tourney.
"Words cannot describe how happy we are today (yesterday). From one game down, we really supported each other and we didn’t want to give up easily," said Thinaah.
"I’m very thankful to Pearly for her accurate smashes. We have been encouraging each other a lot in this tournament and before as well but today (yesterday) was a crucial point because it was not only about the strategy but also the mental and physical aspects.
"I’m really thankful to have Pearly on my side."
Pearly-Thinaah have avenged their defeat to Yijing-Xuomin after losing in straight games to the duo in the China Open first round last September.
The pair have now reached their third final of the year after capturing the Thailand Open last month and finishing runners-up in the Indonesian Masters in January.
Standing in Pearly-Thinaah’s way in their bid to land the biggest title of their careers so far will be either Yijing-Xuomin’s teammates, world No. 1 Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning or South Korea’s world No. 3 Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee.
Pearly-Thinaah are out to emulate 2009 champions Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty, who were the only Malaysians previously to triumph in the women’s doubles in the Indonesian Open.
On their approach for the final, Thinaah said: "We want to have a relaxed mind and we just want to stay calm.
"We have to remember each other’s strengths and weaknesses and stay patient."
