KUALA LUMPUR: Losing an unbeaten run to a lower ranked pair on home soil was a bitter pill to swallow for doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.
The crestfallen world No. 2 pair were left apologetic after losing 24-26, 17-21 to Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji-Meilysa Puspitasari in a 54-minute second round match at the Malaysian Open at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Pearly-Thinaah had never lost to the Indonesians before, winning all four of their previous encounters including the Thailand SEA Games final last month, but stumbled this time.
The defeat meant they have failed to clear the early rounds of the home tournament for the fifth time, having suffered the same fate in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
A disappointed Pearly expressed her pain of losing at home Open.
“We are disappointed that our first defeat to the Indonesians came at home,” lamented the 25-year-old Pearly.
“But winning and losing is normal for athletes.
“Our opponents prepared well and played better than us today (yesterday).
“We need to accept this and go back and discuss how to change our game play.
“We cannot afford to feel down for long. We need to fight back, discuss with our coaches, train harder and rebuild our confidence,” added Pearly.
The 28-year-old Thinaah apologised to the fans.
“We want to say sorry to the fans who came from far to support us. We really appreciate their support,” said Thinaah.
“Losing here is sad and disappointing but we won’t give up here.
“This is something that we, athletes have to go through and learn from.
“Definitely, we are confident that we can come back from this.
Pearly-Thinaah will compete next at the Indian Open starting Tuesday in New Delhi.
