Malaysia’s young pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun earned their biggest break in the BWF World Tour as they found themselves vying for the PERODUA Malaysia Masters 2023 title after storming into the finals at Axiata tomorrow. 

It was a night to celebrate for the home fans as women’s pair Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan had earlier checked into tomorrow’s finals after defeating Korean pair Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong. 

Man/Tee were in commanding form and took charge of the first set, winning 21-17 in just 19 minutes but were dragged into a hard point-for-point battle in the second game before finally clinching the game 22-20.  

The Malaysian young pair proved their worth, matching and applying continuous pressure on their higher-ranked rivals with aggressive style of play and solid defence in the last stage before sealing the tie in 27 minutes.

“We were not concerned about their ranking. We had to be aggressive and continuously apply pressure from the start. Our confidence grew stronger after taking the lead in the first set,” said Wei Chong after the match. 

Man and Tee are now just one win away from their biggest achievement but will have to be in their best shape and condition against Korean pair Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae who made into the finals after shocking Japan’s doubles ace Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi 21-18, 12-21, 21-16. 

“We’re already more than happy to be in the finals…tomorrow against the Korean pair, we’ll have to sit with our coaches to discuss the best approach for tomorrow’s big match,” he added. 

Malaysia’s top pair Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan’s magical run in the PERODUA Malaysia Masters presented by DAIHATSU continues with an amazing 21-19, 23-21 victory over Korean pair Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong today which sent them into tomorrow’s finals at Axiata Arena here. 

It was the pair’s never-say-die attitude and approach to the match that gave them the upper hand over the Koreans, who looked set to take the match into a rubber game after leading 2-12 in the second game.  

The Malaysian had won the first game 21-19 in a close and hard battle which lasted 40 minutes. 

Backed by the vociferous 10,000 local spectators and fans, Pearly-Thinaah, despite the physical toll they endured over the past few days due to their marathon duels, were great on court, continuously motivating each other and simply refused to give up despite trailing 2-12 in the second game. 

Playing patiently with great defensive tactics, the duo clawed back into the game, reducing the wide gap to 13-14, 18-18 before taking a 19-18 lead for the first time. 

It was then a point-for-point battle with both pairs trying to force their opponents into making errors. But, Pearly-Thinaah showed great composure and stamina to finish off the game and book their final slot in 83 minutes. 

“It was a tiring match, but it was all worth it..hearing the thousands of fans chanting our names, and continue believing in us despite trailing badly in the second game, it kept us motivated during the match,” said Pearly.

“Most importantly, we redeemed ourselves after losing out early in the last Malaysian Open. We’re fully focussed on this tournament after our failure and we know, we had to deliver here at home,” said Pearly.  

With Pearly-Thinaah in the finals, Malaysia’s hopes of ending a four-year title drought in the Malaysia Masters could come true. The Malaysians however will again need to be in top shape as they prepare themselves for another great battle against  Korean top pair Baek Ha Na-Lee So Ho (world no.6)  who made it into the finals after defeating Japan’s Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara 21-19, 21-14 in the other women’s doubles semifinals. 

SEMIFINAL RESULTS: 

Men’s Singles:
Prannoy H.S. (IND) bt Christian Adinata (INA) 19-17 (retired) 
Weng Hong Yang (CHN)  bt Lin Chun-Yi (TAI) 21-13, 21-19

Men’s Doubles:
Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun (MAS) bt Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin (INA) 21-17, 22-20
Kang Min Hyuk/Seo Seung Jae (KOR)  bt Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi (JPN) 21-18, 12-21, 21-16. 

Women’s Singles:
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (INA) bt Pusarla V. Sindhu (IND) 21-14, 21-17
Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) bt Han Yue (CHN) 21-10, 21-17

Women’s Doubles:
Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (MAS) bt (5) Jeong Na Eun/Kim Hye Jeong (KOR) 21-19, 23-21
Baek Ha-Na/Lee So Hee (KOR) bt Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara 21-19, 21-14

Mixed doubles:
Deechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai  (THA) bt Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung (KOR)  21-19, 13-21, 21-17 
Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping bt Supak Jomkoh/SupissaraPaewsampran (THA) 21-12, 21-8


FINALS (28 May)

Men’s Singles:
Prannoy H.S. (IND) vs Weng Hong Yang (CHN) 
 
Men’s Doubles:
Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun vs Kang Min Hyuk/Seo Seung Jae (KOR)  

Women’s Singles:
Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) vs Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (INA)

Women’s Doubles:
Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (MAS) vs Baek Ha-Na/Lee So Hee (KOR)

Mixed doubles:
Deechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai  (THA) vs Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping