[Watch] Pearly, Thinaah Set New Record With 211-Shot Rally At Malaysian Masters 2023

All four Malaysian doubles pair advanced into the quarterfinals.

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Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, the country’s leading women’s doubles pair, have advanced to the quarter-finals at the Malaysian Masters 2023 tournament.

The pair won a long rally of 211 shots, touted as a new record, against Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto from Japan.

Despite losing the second set 8-21, Pearly and Thinaah managed to win the match in three sets, securing a thrilling victory at Axiata Arena.

The pair, seeded sixth in the tournament, are determined to compensate for their disappointment at the Indonesia Masters 2023.

It was a gruelling match for both the Malaysian and Japanese pair, stretching their endurance to the limits. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

They lost in the semi-finals to another Japanese pair, Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota.

The long rally was a key moment in the match, with both pairs exchanging blows and fighting for every point.

Pearly later told reporters that despite the tough match, it yielded results and that she was happy to have scored points in the long rally.

I didn’t think to make a shot, it was a long rally, and I knew they were ready, so we were ready too. We know we’re tired, but the opponent is tired too; in our minds, we want to win the rally, so we’re mentally ready, and I’m very happy we won the point.
Women doubles player Pearly Tan on her latest triumph with M. Thinaah.

Women doubles player M. Thinaah returning a shot during the game. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

Dominant Performance

Meanwhile, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, the defending world men’s doubles champions, have qualified for the quarter-finals after defeating Choi Sol Gyu and Kim Won Ho in two sets.

The Malaysian pair won a close first set 21-19 before dominating the second set 21-14.

Chia and Wooi Yik will face Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin from Indonesia in the quarter-finals.

Men’s doubles player Aaron Chia prepares for a smash. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

Another national men’s doubles pair, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun came from behind to defeat Alexander Dunn and Adam Hall from Scotland in a rubber-set fight that lasted for 57 minutes.

The duo, ranked 26th in the world, will face Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan from Indonesia in their next match.

At the same time, Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi also booked a quarter-final ticket after defeating the Taiwanese pair, Lu Ching Yao-Yang Po Han 15-21, 21-12, 21-19.

They will be up against South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae, who had defeated world number one pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto from Indonesia.

Almost Perfect Day For Malaysia

Meanwhile, national singles player Lee Zii Jia lost to Taiwan’s Lin Chun-Yi, 19-21, 21-16, 15-21.

The 10th ranked player in the world eventually succumbed to fatigue, as he sat down and lay down in the middle of the court during the third game.

National singles player Lee Zii Jia gave his all but it was not his day. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

Zii Jia’s loss in the second round of the Malaysia Masters 2023 saw the player continue to be unlucky at the Axiata Arena.

In last year’s edition, Zii Jia had to withdraw before the tournament started.

In the Malaysian Open earlier this year, he was eliminated in the first round.

The Malaysian Masters 2023 tournament, with a sold-out final on 28 May (Sunday), has seen some thrilling matches, with top players worldwide competing for the title.

Fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming matches, which promise to be just as exciting as those that have already occurred.

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