The world No 7 pair lost to the much lower-ranked South Korean duo of Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong 18-21, 18-21 in a semi-final match that lasted 53 minutes.

Pearly-Thinaah got off to a sluggish start as the South Koreans, who only teamed up last year, piled on the points after taking advantage of the Malaysians’ numerous unforced errors.

Pearly-Thinaah will pocket US$13,300 (RM59,000) in prize money for reaching the semi-finals.

The South Korean pair will meet either Japan’s Arisa Igarashi-Ayako Sakuramoto or China’s Li Jing Yi-Luo Xu Min in tomorrow’s final.

Soon Huat-Shevon also out

Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai failed to qualify for the mixed doubles final after going down to China’s world No 2 pair Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin in three games.

The husband-wife pair lost 21-18, 19-21, 9-21 in a 50-minute match. It was their fifth loss in six encounters so far.

The Chinese pair will take on either Malaysia’s Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei or French duo Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue in tomorrow’s final.

Despite their loss, Soon Huat-Shevon will take home US$13,300 (RM59,000) as semi-finallists.