Pearly Tan and Thinaah have once again demonstrated their dominance in international badminton by claiming their third title of the year with a hard-fought victory at the Japan Masters. This remarkable achievement highlights their consistent performance on the global stage, especially considering the stiff competition they faced.
Their journey this season has been impressive. The Malaysian doubles duo first secured a title at the Thailand Open back in May, which marked their breakthrough earlier in the year. Following that, they added the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, to their collection last month, showcasing their rising trajectory and ability to perform well across different continents.
But here’s where it gets controversial: their latest win at the Japan Masters, held in Kumamoto, arguably cements their status as one of the top pairs worldwide. In the final match at Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium, the top-seeded pair had to battle fiercely to overcome their Japanese opponents, Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi—who were also the fourth seeds. The match was intense, lasting 54 minutes, with Pearly and Thinaah narrowly winning in straight sets, 22-20 and 21-19.
This victory also adds to their impressive head-to-head record against the Japanese pair, now with seven wins out of nine encounters. Notably, the Japanese duo is currently ranked seventh in the world, making Pearly-Thinaah’s win even more significant.
And this is the part most people miss: their consistent success this year underscores their growing reputation and could spark debates about whether they are now the team to beat in women’s doubles. Do you think Pearly and Thinaah will continue this winning streak and possibly become world number one? Or are there other pairs waiting in the wings to challenge their crown? Share your thoughts—this rivalry is far from over.