Indonesia Masters: Pearly-Thinaah bow out in semi-finals

Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah crashed out of their second consecutive semi-finals after losing in straight games 13-21, 18-21 to Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota to end Malaysia’s challenge at the Indonesia Masters.

The 51-minute defeat also meant the world number six lost to a Japanese pair for a second time in a week, after falling to Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida in straight games at the India Open last Saturday.

Tan’s mobility was restricted due to what looked like discomfort on her heavily strapped right knee, which could be one of the factors of the pair’s defeat.

But take nothing away from Fukushima-Hirota, who were excellent throughout the contest with their excellent rotational and net play that left the Malaysians flat-footed during several exchanges.

The first game belonged to the Japanese who coasted to the lead.

Tan-Thinaah recovered well to take a 4-0 advantage in the second game, which they took to the interval at 12-8.

But the Japanese fought hard and were savvy in trapping the Malaysians, which saw Thinaah move to the back court to cover for Tan.

Several unforced errors at the end gave victory to Fukushima-Hirota, who go on to face China’s Liu Sheng Shu-Zhang Shu Xian in the final.