KUALA LUMPUR — National top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah’s performance at the World Badminton Championships quarterfinals last night deserves credit, despite failing to overcome the trauma of losing to China’s Zhang Shu Xian-Zheng Yu.
Speaking to Scoop, Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said his charges played “well and firm” given the challenges they faced against their sixth-seeded opponents.
For context, last night’s meet was Pearly-Thinaah’s fourth straight defeat to the same pair.
They were previously beaten at last year’s Malaysia Open quarterfinal and the third round of the World Tour Finals, and in the first round of the Australia Open earlier this month.
“(Pearly and Thinaah) played very well and firmly until they led 11-5 in the second set, but they started to think about what had happened in the Australia Open.
“Their confidence wavered due to past experiences, causing tension during the match,” said the former world champion Indonesian.
Rexy added that Pearly and Thinaah have also discussed their concerns with coaches and sports psychologists.
“(But) they need to overcome this by themselves too, we only try our best with all the support we can to help them.”
Shifting the focus to the mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Rexy emphasised the importance of mindset when facing top-class pairs in significant tournaments.
The world number 17 debutants also bowed out in the quarterfinal to Japan’s Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino in straight sets, 21-11, 21-11.
Rexy said Tang Jie-Ee Wei need to approach their games with a strategic and resilient mindset to tackle formidable opponents.
Meanwhile, former women’s and mixed doubles international Wong Pei Tty told Scoop that Malaysia missed a chance to secure victory in the recent match.
“I think (Pearly and Thinaah) played very well, good game,” said the former world number one women’s doubles shuttler.
“It is sad that Malaysia did not seize the opportunity to win in the end, but China managed to claim the initiative earlier in the game, so that gives them the advantage.
“Pearly and Thinaah need to enhance their skills in competing at the frontcourt net and (figure out) what they can do when the opponent does not give them an attack opportunity.
“I believe they can enter the top four in the world, but they need more self-confidence and not think too much on the court, sometimes the simpler the better.”
Pei Tty was the 2006 bronze medalist for the mixed doubles World Championships and women’s doubles World Cup.
She shared that as the players continue their journey, overcoming mental hurdles and adopting strong mindsets stand out as essential components of their growth and success. — August 27, 2023