Malaysia Masters: Pearly-Thinaah, Wei Chong-Kai Wun through to semis

Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah served up another scintillating performance to confirm their entry into the Malaysia Masters semi-finals in an incident filled match, along with men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.

Men’s doubles pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi failed to follow them into the last four, but it was still a good day for the Malaysian contingent at the Axiata Arena.

Tan-Thinaah will have the belief that they can continue this fired-up display against South Korea’s Jeong Na-Eun-Kim Hye-Jeong on Saturday, after they eliminated another Japanese pair in the last eight.

This time it was fourth seeds Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota, whom they saw off 13-21, 21-19, 21-16.

It unfolded as yet another topsy turvy encounter, which also saw men’s doubles director Rexy Mainaky confront a match official after the umpire ordered a point to be replayed in the deciding game.

Tan-Thinaah were trailing 11-12 when the umpire halted the rally midway, drawing the fury of Rexy who marched to the official before giving him an earful.

Rexy later said the umpire stopped the rally after seeing the Japanese coaches talking to each other.

“I told him it was wrong for the umpire to do that, as the players are tired. I also said that the regulations have to be fair not just to the umpires, but also the players.

“Badminton is becoming too stiff, the players have to abide strictly by everything. It’s one sided,” said Rexy, who was also upset that Thinaah was reprimanded for throwing her racquet at the end of the second game.

Tan, who was also running on her last fumes during the match, said she persevered through her mental strength.

“I’m still not fit enough, I can’t stand stable on court. But I didn’t want to disappoint my partner, my family who came and everyone else. I just didn’t want to give up,” she said.

Man-Tee also gave the strong crowd a huge cheer when they upset former world champions Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan 23-21, 21-17.

They next face Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin, who beat Chia-Soh 21-18, 21-19 to get to Saturday’s action.

Meanwhile, Ong-Teo lost to Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae 21-15, 16-21, 14-21.

Good luck to Pearly/Thinaah and Wei Chong/Kai Wun on Saturday! #PERODUAMalaysiaMasters2023 Follow us on Telegram: https://t.co/nQHqw0uiXJ pic.twitter.com/F1svljvRqc

— Stadium Astro ?? (@stadiumastro) May 26, 2023