Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah’s versatility have made them a force to be reckoned with, said national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky who noticed their change at the All-England.
The Malaysian women’s doubles pair have reached three finals to date this year, winning the Thailand Open title in the process.
They also reached the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open final, losing narrowly in both finals.
While that cutting edge requires some attention, their consistency has been a mainstay in their game.
“In doubles, we need a creator and a killer. But you cannot train only for that. We also have to compete with opponents in midcourt and rear court. The rear court person should be able to play at the net.
“I can see they are getting there. It started early this year, they got better in India and the Indonesia Masters, All-England, Thailand Open, Malaysia Masters. They know about themselves, their ability.
“A change happened when Pearly twisted her ankle at the All-England, and Thinaah was boosting her confidence. They only need to get consistent in every tournament,” Rexy told the Badminton World
Tan twisted her ankle in the All-England second-round clash against Indonesia’s Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti.
With Thinaah rallying her partner on and even covering the court for the injured Tan, the Malaysians won the match in straight games.
They even played in the quarter-finals despite Tan visibly struggling to move, and lost in two close games against Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida.
Tan also echoed Rexy’s comments on the pair being more versatile.
“We need to attack well to be an all-rounded pair. Thinaah can also play a lot more as a baseline player and this has given us more variation. Our communication on court is now better, and also our varying style of play,” she said.
The pair are currently back in training after a short break, as they prepare for the Japan Open when the World Tour resumes next month.
The Malaysian women’s doubles pair have reached three finals to date this year, winning the Thailand Open title in the process.
They also reached the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open final, losing narrowly in both finals.
While that cutting edge requires some attention, their consistency has been a mainstay in their game.
“In doubles, we need a creator and a killer. But you cannot train only for that. We also have to compete with opponents in midcourt and rear court. The rear court person should be able to play at the net.
“I can see they are getting there. It started early this year, they got better in India and the Indonesia Masters, All-England, Thailand Open, Malaysia Masters. They know about themselves, their ability.
“A change happened when Pearly twisted her ankle at the All-England, and Thinaah was boosting her confidence. They only need to get consistent in every tournament,” Rexy told the Badminton World
Tan twisted her ankle in the All-England second-round clash against Indonesia’s Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti.
With Thinaah rallying her partner on and even covering the court for the injured Tan, the Malaysians won the match in straight games.
They even played in the quarter-finals despite Tan visibly struggling to move, and lost in two close games against Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida.
Tan also echoed Rexy’s comments on the pair being more versatile.
“We need to attack well to be an all-rounded pair. Thinaah can also play a lot more as a baseline player and this has given us more variation. Our communication on court is now better, and also our varying style of play,” she said.
The pair are currently back in training after a short break, as they prepare for the Japan Open when the World Tour resumes next month.
