Pearly Tan and her partner, Thinaah Muralitharan – popularly known as Pearly-Thinaah – are making a name and setting a legacy when it comes to women’s doubles badminton. The pair reached the semi-finals at last year’s Olympics in Paris, finishing 4th, and has since then continued to surpass expectations.
The Malaysian duo’s performances in 2025 have been outstanding, becoming the talk of the town, especially during the China Open Badminton 2025. They also made history in Paris last month where they claimed Malaysia’s first podium finish ever at the world meet. This duo continues to impress and they aren’t stopping anytime soon.
They have captured the attention of the global badminton scene, shifting competitive dynamics internationally. China’s decision to bring back their Olympic champions after the duo’s performance suggests their fear that they could dethrone them as the number one force in women’s doubles.
Now, more and more fans continue to tune in, following their matches through live streams to keep up with some looking for smart betting insights. More people are getting interested in tournament odds and betting platforms like 1 Win, which has seen a spike in attention. Let’s dive into Pearly-Thinaah’s fame and all the juicy details you need to know.
The Breakthrough Performances of the Malaysian Duo
Pearly-Thinaah’s newly found fame is not something that just happened overnight. Rather, they’ve shown steady improvement over the past two seasons and their hard work finally paid off in the 2025 season. For a long time, Malaysian badminton has always been greatly about the men as it was them who carried the nation’s hope.
But all that changed on the 31st of August, Sunday, when the duo stormed the World Championships final in Paris and took home the silver medal. They became the first Malaysian women’s doubles team to get to the world podium. Some notable performances over the years include:
- Last year, the duo made history by becoming the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to get to the Olympics semi-finals in Paris. They unfortunately didn’t win the bronze medal, narrowly losing to Japan’s Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida.
- In 2022, they broke another record by becoming the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to capture the French Open title.
- They secured the number 2 spot in the BWF rankings – Badminton World Federation, becoming the best Malaysian women’s pair in 16 years.
- The duo won gold medals in the women’s doubles and mixed team events at the 2022 Commonwealth games.
Key Victories Against Top-Ranked Opponents
Their success in various matches over the years contributed to their performance, as well as a surge in viewership, for China Open Badminton 2025 live. Some of their game-changing victories include:
- Claiming a Super 500 title which is their highest tier win till date.
- The semi-finals match at the Nimibutr stadium in Bangkok where they played and won against Japan’s Rui Hirokami-Sayaka Hobara 21-18 21-12.
- In 2021, they clinched their first BWF World Tour title at the Swiss Open in a match against the Stoeva sisters – Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva – 21-19 21-12.
- In 2024, they won the Hong Kong Open title in just 38 minutes against the world number three Chinese pair Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning.
- They got their first title of the 2025 season by winning the Thailand Open (Super 500), ending a 41-year wait for Malaysia. The match was against South Korea’s Jeong Na-eun and Lee Yeon-woo (21-16 21-17).
Consistency in Major Tournaments
Unlike many pairs who peak in one season and fade in the next, the Malaysian duo have proven to be very consistent over the years. We can see this through their top-notch performances. Since they won their first maiden World Tour title at the 2021 Swiss Open, they’ve gone ahead to add other titles and performances to their winning section.
- The 2022 French Open title.
- The 2024 Hong Kong Open title.
- The 2025 Thailand Open title.
- Their performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics which got them to the semi-finals.
- Their performance in the China Open Badminton 2025 which sparked China’s tactical reshuffle.
China’s Response to the Growing Challenge
Pearly-Thinaah have proven time and time again just how much of a dominant force they are in the badminton space. They have become a benchmark to the younger players and their talent is no longer confined to the shadows. As mentioned above, China’s tactical reshuffle suggests that they fear this dominant force that is Pearly-Thinaah, despite their win in the Olympic women’s doubles.
But it is not just China as other rivals are taking them seriously, showing just how much power they command.
Reuniting Olympic Champions as a Strategic Move
China’s strategic move to bring back Olympic champions could serve as a way to clip the wings of the ever-rising Malaysian duo. China’s response was immediate after noting their performances in the past high-profile tournaments, in a bid to contain the duo.
Their silver-medal run at the recent World Championships is what led to this strategic decision – reuniting their Olympic champions Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan. The also powerful duo won a gold medal at the last Olympics in Paris and are prepared to resume together in October for the Denmark Open. This move is one that will likely make things tougher for the Malaysian duo.
After the first three or four tournaments, Pearly-Thinaah should be ready to deal with the top China pair as China’s goal is simple – neutralise their momentum ahead of the high-profile tournaments like the 2026 World Championships.
Tactical Adjustments to Counter Pearly-Thinaah
Starting from experience, Qing Chen-Yi Fan has the experience capable of posing a big threat against the Malaysian duo at major events and even during the World Tour. Though Qing Chen has been in semi-retirement and hasn’t been a part of China’s national team for several months, we believe her skills are still up to par.
Yi Fan, on the other hand, has been partnering with Shu Xian throughout the year and they hold a 4-1 record over the Malaysian duo. The last time Chen-Yi Fan played together was during the World Tour finals in December where they dropped in the semi-finals.
We believe that Chinese coaches would be building smarter game plans by studying the performances of Pearly-Thinaah throughout the season. Endurance drills, advanced analytics, and target smash defense are also key tactical adjustments that may be considered.
The Wider Impact on the Global Badminton Landscape
We can’t deny the impact of the 2025 badminton live season on viewers and players alike. This season has had a lot to look forward to, especially with the Malaysian and Chinese duo saga. Viewers have become more interested in seeing what the next season holds – who will claim the championship title?
How Rivalries Elevate Competition Standards
The very core of sports itself are the rivalries. Players look forward to them and it gives a certain buzz around every competition and match. Badminton is not left out of these with the rivalries between the different duos. These rivalries are elevating the sport itself, giving fans something to look forward to.
- Global viewership is rising. Fans from around the world have heard and are hearing about the fast-rising Malaysian duo and the skills they possess. I’m sure these fans look forward to their matches with the Chinese Olympic champions duo.
- Athlete preparation is becoming more goal-oriented and scientific. These preparations are driven by the data of past matches, with each duo looking forward to beating their past performances and doing better in the next season.
- We cannot deny the impact these elite pairings have had on the different national teams. Everyone is looking forward to the next matches of the season, hoping to be the champions.
Implications for Upcoming World and Olympic Events
The implications are clearer than ever as we look forward to the next season:
- Pearly-Thinaah can no longer just be classified as underdogs due to their impressive performances. They are now a top-tier seed.
- The Chinese now tactical duo is coming back stronger than ever, facing a lot of intense pressure to prove their reunion is worth it.
- Attention has increased and many fans from around the world are looking forward to what the next season will bring due to all the fun of this season.
Final Thoughts
The duo, Pearly-Thinaah, have been on a roll this season, turning heads and exceeding expectations. They have risen from the title of a promising badminton duo from Malaysia to a national name. We look forward to what they bring forth in the next season as their impact on this one is undeniable.