Malaysian women’s doubles stars Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah saw their hopes of another deep run at the Indonesia Open 2026 come to an end after suffering a straight-games defeat to Japan’s Rui Hirokami and Sayaka Hobara in the quarter-finals at the legendary Istora Senayan.
The Malaysian pair, currently ranked World No. 2, were beaten 20-22, 16-21 in a 46-minute encounter, ending Malaysia’s challenge in the women’s doubles competition.
Twelve months ago, Pearly and Thinaah captured the imagination of Malaysian badminton fans by reaching their first-ever Indonesia Open final, becoming one of the standout stories of the tournament.
Their memorable 2025 campaign saw them advance all the way to the championship match before narrowly losing to China’s Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in a thrilling three-game final.
Returning to Jakarta with hopes of another title challenge, the Malaysian duo instead encountered a disciplined Japanese partnership that delivered a composed and consistent performance throughout the match.
The opening game was fiercely contested, with both pairs exchanging points in a battle for momentum.
Pearly and Thinaah repeatedly fought their way back into contention whenever the Japanese pair threatened to pull away, showcasing the resilience that has helped elevate them to the top tier of world badminton.
However, at the crucial moments, Hirokami and Hobara held their nerve.
The Japanese pair displayed superior composure in the closing exchanges to edge the first game 22-20, gaining a significant psychological advantage.
Losing the first game appeared to affect the rhythm of the Malaysian pair.
Hirokami and Hobara carried their momentum into the second game, establishing an early lead and forcing Pearly and Thinaah to chase the match.
Although the Malaysians attempted to mount a comeback, the Japanese duo maintained control of the rallies and continued to dictate the tempo.
With confidence growing, Hirokami and Hobara closed out the second game 21-16 to secure a deserved victory and a place in the semi-finals.
While the result will be disappointing for the Malaysian camp, there are still positives to take from the tournament.
The Indonesia Open marked another important step in Pearly’s return to peak condition following the back injury that sidelined her for nearly two months earlier this season.
Since returning to competition last month, the Malaysian pair have shown encouraging signs of rebuilding their momentum, and their performances in Jakarta suggested that their partnership is steadily moving back toward its best form.
The quarter-final exit means Pearly and Thinaah will not be able to repeat their historic run to the final, but their status as one of the world’s elite women’s doubles pairs remains unquestioned.
Credit Photo : SBA
