The recent World Championships silver medallists battled for 87 minutes before losing to the Koreans eventually with a score of 21-23, 21-19, 20-22 at the Shenzhen Arena today.

It was a huge disappointment for the Olympic semi-finalists coming so soon after their World Championships success two weeks ago, as they were also knocked out in the semi-final at the Hong Kong Open last week.

Pearly-Thinaah even squandered a three match-point lead in the rubber game as the Koreans refused to give up in the pulsating match that kept the fans on tenterhooks.

Their heartbreak was reflected in the reactions of social media users who had been encouraging the Malaysians all the way.

Pearly-Thinaah will take home US$4,062 (RM17,021) for making it to the quarter-finals.

The pair made it to five finals this season but won only the Thailand Open in May.

Malaysia has one representative in the semi-finals with world mixed doubles champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei taking on China’s world No 1 pair Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dongping.

In the men’s doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will be taking on Indonesians Leo Rolly Carnando-Bagas Maulana later tonight.