Malaysia’s top women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah know exactly what stands between them and consistent titles — the seemingly unshakable dominance of China’s powerhouse pairs. For the world No. 2 duo, their defensive solidity will be the ultimate key if they are to finally topple their greatest rivals on the international stage.
Haunted by Chinese Rivals in 2024 Season
This season has been a story of frustration for the Paris World Championships silver medallists. Two Chinese combinations, in particular, have repeatedly blocked their path to glory:
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World No. 1 and reigning world champions Liu Sheng Shu–Tan Ning, and
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World No. 4 Jia Yi Fan–Zhang Shu Xian.
Against Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, Pearly-Thinaah have suffered heartbreak in three major finals — the Indonesia Open, Japan Open, and the World Championships. On each occasion, the Malaysians came close but could not find the finishing edge to outlast their opponents.
The story has been just as challenging against Yi Fan and Shu Xian. The Chinese pair have defeated Pearly-Thinaah five times this year alone, including their latest clash in the Hong Kong Open semi-finals. The Malaysians’ sole victory came at the India Open in January, though that match ended prematurely after their opponents retired.
Expert Insight: Defence is the Deciding Factor
Former national women’s doubles shuttler Lee Meng Yean, who represented Malaysia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, believes the gap lies in defence rather than attack.
“Chinese pairs excel in defence and long rallies. They can absorb pressure thanks to their physical advantage, which allows them to keep returning shots until their opponents break down,” Meng Yean explained.
“Pearly and Thinaah are powerful in attack — Pearly especially can smash with real force. But their defence still has vulnerabilities. If they can strengthen their defensive structure and add more variety in their returns, they will stand a much better chance against China’s top pairs.”
She highlighted that Thinaah, in particular, needs to work on varying her defensive placement instead of relying on predictable returns. “Adding angles and mixing up directions will prevent the Chinese from dictating rallies,” she added.
Building Mental and Physical Resilience
Beyond the technical aspects, Meng Yean also underlined the importance of physical conditioning and mental strength. With their packed calendar as world-class athletes, Pearly-Thinaah must adapt to the demands of elite badminton.
“Competing in three tournaments back-to-back takes a toll on both the body and mind. Fatigue is real, and rest is important. But at the same time, being among the top-ranked pairs means they must learn to manage such challenges,” she said.
Despite the setbacks, Meng Yean believes the Malaysians’ mental resilience — already proven by their Paris silver medal run — can help them weather the storm and eventually conquer their Chinese nemeses.
What’s Next for Pearly-Thinaah?
The journey doesn’t get any easier. Following their Hong Kong Open exit, the duo head straight to Shenzhen for the prestigious China Masters, which begins on Tuesday. They will open their campaign against Indonesia’s rising pair Febriana Kusuma and Meilysa Puspitasari, whom they currently lead 1-0 in head-to-head encounters.
So far in the 2024 season, Pearly-Thinaah have competed in 14 Super Series tournaments, reaching five finals and securing one title at the Thailand Open. The statistics highlight both their consistency and their struggle to take the final step against the Chinese wall.
Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah are widely regarded as Malaysia’s best hope in women’s doubles badminton. Their attacking firepower is unquestionable, but their defensive frailties have repeatedly been exposed by China’s top pairs.
If the Malaysians can fortify their backcourt play, add variation to their defensive returns, and continue building physical endurance, the dream of conquering China’s dominance could soon become reality.
For now, the world watches as Pearly-Thinaah prepare to write the next chapter in their rivalry with Chinese badminton’s “Great Wall.”
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