KUALA LUMPUR: Stopping China's women's doubles world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning and world No. 2 Baek Ha Na-Lee Soo Hee of South Korea will be the mission of local hopes Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 at Axiata Arena.
Sheng Shu-Tan Ning have seamlessly taken over from compatriots Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan, the Paris Olympic champions, winning six World Tour titles last year.
At the other end, Ha Na-So Hee bagged four titles, including the World Tour Finals last month, to head to the Malaysia Open as the main contenders.
However, national women's doubles coach Rosman Razak feels that Pearly-Thinaah have what it takes to thwart the Chinese and Korean pairs.
"Sheng Shu-Tan Ning and Ha Na-So Hee are not the only contenders, also include Pearly-Thinaah in that list. Beating the top two is the objective of our pair at the Malaysia Open," said Rosman.
"The target for Pearly-Thinaah is the semi-finals and beyond. I am looking forward to seeing them perform to their best to challenge for the title."
Rosman's optimism is also good news for the local fans who have been waiting for a Malaysian women's pair to end a 60-year drought since Teoh Siew Yong-Rosalind Singha Ang's triumph in 1965.
Pearly-Thinaah are expected to meet top-seeded Sheng Shu-Tan Ning who have a superior 7-3 head-to-head record, in the semi-finals. If the Malaysians advance, they should meet second seeds Ha Na-So Hee whom Pearly-Thinaah have a better 3-2 head-to-head record.
However, the Malaysian duo face a tricky first round match against the new Indonesian pairing of Lanny Tria Mayasari-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti.
Rosman added that the change in the women's doubles landscape, where countries have been trying out new combinations, will also make the competition in the Malaysia Open interesting.
"However, I believe Pearly-Thinaah can pull through their earlier rounds without any hiccups," he said.
The other Malaysian pairs competing in the Super 1000 tournament are Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien (No. 43), Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing (No. 73) and Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee (No. 125).