The pressure is rising on Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, as they head into the All England Open Badminton Championships with a clear message from coach Rosman Razak: learn to win even when form is lacking.
Rosman believes the pair’s biggest hurdle is not a lack of talent, but consistency. While flashes of brilliance have marked their season, he stressed that sustained success at the highest level depends on the ability to grind out results regardless of momentum. He acknowledged that it is unrealistic to expect the duo to be at their best in every match, but questioned how they respond when performances dip. For him, the real measure of growth lies in their ability to problem-solve under pressure and stay competitive even on difficult days.
Their 2024 campaign has reflected those concerns. Pearly-Thinaah opened strongly by capturing the title at the Indonesia Masters in January, underlining their potential as one of the world’s leading pairs. However, they were unable to maintain that momentum, suffering a second-round exit at the Malaysia Open before recovering to reach the semi-finals of the India Open. The pattern of strong peaks followed by sudden setbacks highlights the challenge they now face.
The All England in Birmingham offers an immediate test of their maturity and resilience. They open against Japan’s world No. 17 pair, Arisa Igarashi and Chiharu Shida, who defeated the Malaysians at last year’s Denmark Open. That previous loss adds extra motivation, but also increases the tactical and psychological stakes of the encounter.
With little margin for error at such a prestigious event, discipline and composure will be crucial. Rosman emphasised that beyond technical execution, mental strength will likely determine how far they progress. Managing pressure, staying calm in tight exchanges and converting key points could define their campaign. For Pearly and Thinaah, the All England is not just another tournament. It is an opportunity to prove they can turn adversity into results and build the consistency required to compete among the elite.
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