PETALING JAYA: Women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah proved they are the stars in the making when they clinched the Swiss Open title in just their 10th start on the World Tour and 21 months into their partnership.
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The world No. 30 powered their way to a comprehensive 21-19,21-12 victory over the Stoeva sisters, Gabriela and Stefani, the world No. 14 from Bulgaria in 43 minutes at the St Jakobshalle in Basel yesterday.
It was Pearly-Thinaah’s fourth title of their career, but certainly the biggest yet as their previous triumphs were all from satellite tournaments in 2019 – the year they started their partnership.
It was indeed a match made in heaven.
They made an impact from the get-go, winning the Malaysian International Series in their first tournament together and would go on to capture two more titles – the Indian International Challenge and Bangladesh International Challenge.
The pair then picked up where they left off in the pandemic-shortened season last year.
In February, Pearly-Thinaah were the toast of the Malaysian team who qualified for the Uber Cup Finals on merit for the first time since 2008.
At that time, they helped Malaysia overcome Taiwan 3-1 to qualify for the semi-finals of the Asia Team Championships, which doubled up as the qualifiers for the Uber Cup Finals.
Their lengthy absence from international tournaments didn’t seem to affect them as they continued their blossoming partnership by reaching the quarter-finals of the top-tier Thailand Opens in January – a feat that propelled them to No. 30 in the world ranking.
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With yesterday’s victory, Pearly-Thinaah are projected to rise to No. 22 when the world ranking lists are updated today.
The win in Basel yesterday also saw Pearly-Thinaah etched their names into the tournament’s history as the first-ever Malaysian women to become champions since its inception in 1955.
They also ended Malaysia’s 12-year title drought in the meet since Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong made it a double joy by winning the men’s singles and men’s doubles titles.
For the Stoeva sisters, third time still wasn’t the charm for them as the defeat meant they had to settle for second best for the third time in as many finals.
The Bulgarians were also the runners-up in 2017 and 2018.
FINAL RESULST
Men’s singles: Viktor Axelsen (Den) bt Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) 21-16,21-6.
Women’s doubles: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah bt Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva (Bul) 21-19,21-12.
Mixed doubles: Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (Fra) bt Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje (Den) 21-19,21-19.- The Star