BANGKOK, May 18 — National top women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan- M. Thinaah, and Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, have each claimed Thailand Open titles today.
Pearly-Thinaah clinched their first World Tour title of the year after defeating South Korea’s Jeong Na Eun-Lee Yeon Woo in the final.
The world No.4 Malaysians overcame the world No.105 Korean duo 21-16, 21-17 in 58 minutes to take home US$37,525 (RM161,191).
Thinaah expressed her satisfaction with their performance, highlighting the importance of mutual support and guidance from their coach.
“We’re very happy with our performance today, especially the support we gave each other. Our coach also played a big role in keeping us focused.
“The support really helped us throughout the match, particularly against the Korean pair, who played a very good game,” she told reporters after the match at Nimibutr Stadium here.
The Thailand Open 2025 title adds to their previous triumphs at the Swiss Open (2021), the French Open (2022), and last year’s Hong Kong Open.
The match between Pearly-Thinaah and Jeong-Lee was close, with both pairs exchanging points in the first set before the Malaysians pulled away to win 21-16.
In the second set, Pearly-Thinaah dominated, securing victory with a 21-17 score.
The Korean pair earned US$18,050.
“This title means a lot to us, and it’s a big confidence booster. The Koreans were really strong, and it was hard to execute decisive shots against them.
“We kept reminding each other to stay patient and trust in ourselves, and that helped us win the game in straight sets,” Pearly said.
Pearly-Thinaah are the first Malaysians to win the women’s doubles title at the Thailand Open since its introduction in 1984.
Meanwhile, reigning Asian champions Aaron-Wooi Yik overcame an early scare to clinch their first back-to-back titles at the Thailand Open today.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, fresh from their victory at the Badminton Asia Championships in China in March, came from a set down to defeat Denmark’s world No.75 pair William Kryger Boe-Christian Faust Kjaer, with a 20-22, 21-17, 21-12 triumph in a gruelling one-hour battle.
The Malaysians earned US$37,525, while the Danes took home US$18,050.
Wooi Yik praised the Danes for their strong performance, saying: “They gave us a very good fight, especially in the first and second games.
“I think it was our mental strength, how we trusted each other and communicated on court, especially towards the end of the second game, that helped us regain confidence to push through.
“In the final game, we built a solid lead, which gave us the mental strength to seal the win,” he told Bernama after the match at Nimibutr Stadium here.
Aaron credited their new coach Herry Iman Pierngadi for his invaluable advice after they lost the first set, which boosted their confidence to deliver strong performances in the second and final sets.
“Although we are still adapting to coach Herry’s game plan and programme, his advice made a big difference on court,” Aaron said.
Looking ahead, Aaron said they have not set any specific targets for the Malaysia Masters next week.
Aaron-Wooi Yik are now the second Malaysian men’s doubles pair to win the Thailand Open, following Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah’s victory in 2009.
— Bernama
