We did it again: Shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah knock out Japan's Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara to reach the quarter-finals in World Championships in Copenhagen. - Badminton Photo
PETALING JAYA: Women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah stunned world No. 4 Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara of Japan to storm into the quarter-final of the World Championships in Copenhagen on Thursday (August 24).
Pearly-Thinaah, the world No. 11, were on top of their game to outplay Matsumoto-Nagahara 21-14, 22-20 in the third round match that lasted for 47 minutes.
It was the Malaysian pair’s third win in four meetings against Matsutomo-Nagahara who were world champions in 2018 and 2019.
Pearly-Thinaah will meet China pair Zhang Shuxian-Zheng Yu, who beat Holland’s Kirsten de Wit-Alyssa Tirtosentono 21-13, 21-10, in the last eight on Friday.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky praised his charges for having the desire and spirit to put up a top class performance.
"I've always believed that they can overcome any challenges if they demonstrate their character and hunger for victory," said Rexy.
"I witnessed that spirit in them. I hope they can carry this momentum into their next match against the China pair.
"Their past encounters may have favoured the Chinese pair but Pearly-Thinaah have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
