National coaching director Rexy Mainaky has stated that Pearly-Thinaah should focus on next year’s World Tour season, beginning with the Malaysia Open, after a challenging yet successful year.
The world No. 7 women’s doubles pair has competed in 18 tournaments this year. They made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Malaysian pair to reach the women’s doubles semi-finals. They also claimed the Hong Kong Open title and finished as runners-up at the Korea Open and Arctic Open, all Super 500 events.
Pearly-Thinaah have already secured a spot at next month’s World Tour Finals in Hangzhou. However, they are required to compete in the Super 750 China Masters in Shenzhen, starting tomorrow, as top-10 players must participate in these events due to mandatory rules.
Despite their packed schedule, Rexy is not pressuring the pair for results in Shenzhen. Instead, he encourages them to focus on recovery and preparation for the Malaysia Open, which takes place from January 7 to 12.
“It has been a long season for Pearly-Thinaah, and there is no pressure on them at the China Masters,” said Rexy. “I want them to keep their momentum and be ready for the Malaysia Open next year.”
After the China Masters and the World Tour Finals, Pearly-Thinaah will concentrate fully on recovery and preparation for the Super 1000 Malaysia Open.
The pair has struggled at the Malaysia Open in the past, exiting in the second round on their 2022 debut and suffering first-round defeats in 2023 and 2024. No Malaysian pair has won the women’s doubles title at the tournament since Teoh Siew Yong and Rosalind Singha Ang in 1964.
At the China Masters, Pearly-Thinaah will face unranked home pair Ding Ke Yun and Wang Yi Duo in the opening round.
In the men’s doubles, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, currently ranked No. 6 in the world, have a lot at stake in Shenzhen as they chase a spot in the World Tour Finals. The pair is currently ranked 10th in the World Tour standings and needs to break into the top seven. This will likely require a semi-final finish at the China Masters after their early exit at the Kumamoto Masters last week.
They will play Indonesia’s Shohibul Fikri and Daniel Marthin in their opening match.
Other Malaysian pairs in action at the China Masters include world No. 8 Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, Choong Hon Jian and Haikal Nazri, Ong Yew Sin and Teoh Ee Yi, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King, and Nur Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong.
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