PETALING JAYA: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah continue to break barriers after reaching their first All-England semi-finals in Birmingham on Friday (March 7).
The World Championships runners-up Pearly-Thinaah knocked out Indonesia's Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Meilysa Trias Puspitasari 21-9, 21-18 in 43 minutes to become the country’s first women’s pair to reach the semi-finals in 19 years.
There were anxious moments when both pairs were tied at 16-16 in the second game, but the Malaysians pulled through with sheer determination.
The last Malaysian pair to make the semi-finals were Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty in 2007.
None have gone beyond the semi-finals, and Pearly-Thinaah will be looking to do just that when they take on South Korea’s Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee for a place in the final.
The Malaysians do have a chance as both pairs are locked at 3-3 in their head-to-head record, although the Koreans won their last meeting in the China Masters quarter-finals last year, which was a cliffhanger that saw Pearly-Thinaah lose 20-22 in the deciding game.
Thinaah was delighted to make their first semi-final appearance in their sixth attempt since 2021.
“After six years, we are here. It’s a big relief," said Thinaah.
"We reached the quarter-finals last year, and there had been several occasions when we were close but yet far. But to finally make a breakthrough is a really happy feeling."
The pair were the quarter-finalists at the 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025 editions but lost in the opening round in 2023.
“But this does not stop here as we still have a few things to work on and improve. We must stay focused and recover well,” said Thinaah.
“I've learnt over the years not to be satisfied even on our good days. There is always something small to work on.”
Pearly also thanked the overwhelming support from their fans.
“You guys make us feel right at home. We enjoy every game and the screams after every point… we are truly grateful.”
