The Malaysian pair, Pearly TAN and THINAAH Muralitharan (No. 4), is now just one match away from a spectacular double. A week after their title at the Denmark Open, the two players secured their spot in the final of the Yonex French Open.

However, securing a place in the final was no easy task. Trailing 3–12 in the second set, the Malaysians had to dig deep to turn things around against Japan’s Rin IWANAGA and Kie NAKANISHI (No. 5). After a closely contested 47-minute semifinal, they prevailed in straight sets, 21–17, 22–20, claiming their ninth victory in eleven meetings with the Japanese pair.

THINAAH Muralitharan: “I am really happy about this win here, but there is still one more match to go. I love Paris! We are really happy to be here, especially in Paris, and also very grateful for the crowd here, because even the locals are supporting us, and we feel like it's home ground for us, so really happy to be in the finals. 

After starting off with a slight lead (11–9 at the break), the Indonesian team made a few mistakes that allowed the world No. 3s—and defending champions—to tie the score at 14–14. From then on, the two teams traded points in a high-level match. It was quite a show: spectacular defensive reflexes and surgical precision at the net delighted the crowd. In the end, the Japanese pair took fewer risks, and took the first set 21–18. Playing with greater composure in the second set, the Japanese kept their dominance and won 21–15.