Pearly-Thinaah's home charge cut short after losing to Indonesians

Home exit: Women doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah fall short in the second round of the Malaysian Open. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah’s hopes of reaching the Malaysian Open quarter-finals were dashed after they lost to Indonesia’s Febriana Kusuma-Meilysa Puspitasari.

The world No. 2 pair had beaten the Indonesians in the Thailand SEA Games final last month but could not find a way past the latter this time, going down 24-26, 17-21 in 54 minutes at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Thursday (Jan 8).

Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

The defeat meant that Pearly-Thinaah's wait to reach the home Open quarter-finals continues.

The duo also suffered early round exits in the last four editions - 2022 (second round), 2023 (first round), 2024 (first round) and 2025 (first round).