Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah began their European leg with a first-round win at the Arctic Open as last year’s finalists aim to go the distance this year.

Tan-Thinaah ran out comfortable winners against Danish pair Natasja Anthonisen-Amalie Kudsk, needing only 32-minutes to seal a 21-13, 21-14 victory.

The Malaysians should face a more challenging contest in the second round when they take on Indonesian pair Febriana Dwipuji-Meilysa Trias on Thursday.

The world number two pair are back in action for the first time since they last competed at the China Masters in September, which saw them reach the quarter-finals.

Having finished as last year’s runners-up, there will be only one goal for Tan-Thinaah which is to win this Super 500 event on Sunday.

Their biggest challengers will come in the form of their rivals and world number one pair Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning, who are also the tournament’s defending champions.

Besides Tan-Thinaah, men’s doubles top seeds Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will also be aiming to go far.

Last year’s champions Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin meanwhile have pulled out.