Denmark Open: ‘We Don’t Want to Stop Here’

Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan have ended an 18-year wait for a Malaysian women’s doubles semifinalists at the Denmark Open but the history makers have no intention of stopping there.

“We are really happy with this piece of history,” Tan said after the 14-21 21-17 21-11 win over Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela in the VICTOR Denmark Open 2026 quarterfinals. “But we don’t want to stop here. We want to keep moving forward.”

Chin Eei Hui/Wong Pei Tty were the last Malaysians to reach the semifinals when they won the Denmark Open in 2008. That remains the country’s only women’s doubles success at the 75-edition-old tournament.

Tan and Thinaah’s milestone was achieved the hard way. After a nervous start, the Malaysians found themselves trailing and struggling to impose themselves on the contest.

Tan admitted they had initially been too cautious, allowing errors to creep into their game.

“We were too defensive and careful with our shots,” she said. “When they were leading 14-11, we had a discussion on court. We told ourselves to enjoy every point and not think too much about winning or losing.”

For Thinaah, the breakthrough reflects a season that has been anything but straightforward.

“It’s been a rollercoaster year with both good and difficult moments,” she said. “Reaching the semifinals is a positive step.”

There is little time for celebration, however. In the semifinals is a first meeting with Bao Li Jing/Cao Zo Han, an emerging partnership Thinaah expects will provide another stern test.

“We just need to take it one point at a time, keep communicating, enjoy the rallies and enjoy the game,” she said.