Sensational: Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah embrace their coaches Hoon Thien How and Rexy Mainaky after beating South Korea’s Kim So-yeong-Kong Hee-yong in the quarter-finals. Below: Aaron Chia (left) and Soh Wooi Yik (right) celebrating with their coaches Rexy and Tan Bin Shen. — AFP/AP
THE “new” Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah were on full display at the Paris Olympics yesterday, making history as the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to make it into the semi-finals of the competition.
And they did it in fearless style, crushing Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists Kim So-yeong-Kong Hee-yong of South Korea 21-12, 21-13 in just 39 minutes.
Their feat bettered Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei’s quarter-final effort in Rio de Janeiro 2016.
The Malaysian World No 13 pair, who have adopted a new attacking style of play went on the onslaught right from the start, taking a 7-0 lead in the first game. They never relinquished their lead throughout the match as the normally resilient Koreans played below par and were never a match for the Malaysians. It was pretty much the same story in the second game.
Pearly-Thinaah said they had had a sleepless night worrying about the game, but they were wide awake against the South Koreans, who were the ones looking lethargic.
“We were quite nervous and couldn’t sleep well last night because it was a very important match,” said Pearly afterwards.
“Our opponents would also have been with the same mindset. So, we reminded each other to be calm, focus on every point and enjoy the rallies and I think it really worked.
“We have nothing to lose (in the semi-finals) as we have been giving our best in every match from the round robin till now. There will no regrets as we just want to continue enjoying our game.”
Despite the historic breakthrough into the semi-finals, national coaching director Rexy Mainky cautioned the pair to remain grounded before the tough match against world No. 1 Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan today.
“It’s still too early to praise them. It was a good performance but they have to keep their feet firmly on the ground,” said a cautious Rexy.
His concern is valid as a medal is not assured with the semi-final appearance. Pearly and Thinaah must rise above themselves to overcome Qingchen-Yifan who themselves are on a mission to wipe the disappointment of only managing silver behind Indonesians Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu in Tokyo 2020.
Thinaah also refused to let the euphoria of becoming the first Malaysian women’s pair in an Olympics semi-finals to dilute their momentum and said she wanted to remain focused on the last four.
“I think being the first women’s doubles pair to reach the last four is just a record,” she said “We enjoyed our rallies and that what helped us win the match. The support form the coaches really motivated us.
Pearly-Thinaah lost 17-20, 20-22 in their opening match against Qingchen-Yifan in a Group A match last Saturday.
However, the Malaysians are not totally at sea against the world No. 1 as Pearly-Thinaah have won once in seven previous meetings.
They beat the Chinese in the second round of the All-England this year. If they do it again today, it could well be Pearly-Thinaah’s most important win of their career.
