Pearly-Thinaah survive scare before entering semis at Denmark Open

 The world No 5 Malaysian pair lost the first game tamely before finding their rhythm to defeat India’s 18th ranked Gayatri Gopichand Pullela-Treesa Jolly in three games.

Pearly Tan-M Thinaah beat Gayatri Gopichand Pullela-Treesa Jolly 14-21, 21-17, 21-11. (EPA Images pic)

PETALING JAYA:

National women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M Thinaah survived a scare in the quarter-finals of the Denmark Open before overcoming a determined Indian pair to book a semi-final spot at the World Tour Super 750 championships.

The world No 5 Malaysian pair lost the first game easily after making numerous unforced errors and trailed 10-14 in the second; they came back strongly to defeat 18th ranked Gayatri Gopichand Pullela-Treesa Jolly 14-21, 21-17, 21-11 in a match that lasted 55 minutes in Odense.

Pearly-Thinaah have now beaten the Indian pair eight times in 10 meetings. Their last encounter was a straight-games victory for the Malaysian duo in the quarter-finals of the Asian Games last month.

The Asian Games bronze medallists will clash with China’s world No 30 pair Bao Li Jing-Cao Zi Han in the semi-final tomorrow.

Pearly-Thinaah are in the hunt for their second title this year after having won the Indonesia Masters in January. - FMT