
Despite putting up a gallant display, it was not good enough for the world No 4 pair as they went down to the 16th ranked Chinese pair of Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian 16-21, 21-15,14-21 in a match that lasted 74 minutes at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
Pearly-Thinaah, who lifted the Thailand Open title last week, will take home US$6,650 (RM28,200) as semi-finalists.
They were hoping to lift their first title on home soil after having won four World Tour Super series – the Thailand Open last week, the Hong Kong Open (2024), the French Open (2022) and the Swiss Open (2021).
A home pair have only won the women’s doubles title at the Malaysia Masters once through Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty in 2012.
The Malaysia Masters is part of the World Tour Super 500 series. The doubles champions will earn US$37,525 (RM159,000) and the runners-up, US$18,050 (RM76,542).