First round loss hurts, but Pearly relieved

Silver lining: Pearly Tan (right) is disappointed with the defeat but happy to come through the match without further injury.

PETALING JAYA: Losing in the first round of the Japan Open was a bitter pill to swallow for Pearly Tan, but it was certainly a big relief to finish the match without any injury.

Pearly and M. Thinaah, who reached the final last year, suffered a surprise 21-9, 17-21, 17-21 defeat to Taiwan’s Hsu Yin-hui-Lin Jhih-yun at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday.