Malaysia’s campaign at the 2025 Japan Open roared back to life as two national badminton pairs stormed into the finals of the prestigious BWF Super 750 tournament.
After a month-long break following the Indonesia Open in early June, Malaysian shuttlers returned in peak form—led by the women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, who delivered one of their finest performances this season.
Facing Japan’s home favorites, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, Pearly-Thinaah displayed relentless energy and clinical precision to dominate the match 21-13, 21-11. The emphatic victory ended a frustrating run of seven straight defeats against the Japanese duo and marked only their second win in 13 encounters.
Their reward: a final showdown against the world No.1 pair from China, Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, who breezed past compatriots Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in straight sets.
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles, Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani continued their rise with a convincing win over Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang Heng and Yang Po Han, securing a 21-19, 21-11 result.
Their final test will come against South Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, who ousted fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi in the other semi-final.
Credit Photo : IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/THE STAR
