The world No 2 pair had an early scare after losing the first game to Taiwan’s 26th-ranked Hu Ling Fang-Jheng Yu Chieh, before prevailing 20-22, 21-16, 21-15 in 51 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium today.

In the second round tomorrow, Pearly-Thinaah will take on either Benyapa Aimsaard-Nuntakarn Aimsaard of Thailand or Canadian pair Jackie Dent-Crystal Lai.

Pearly skipped the Uber Cup finals and last week’s Malaysia Masters because of a recurring back injury.

Men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik also won their opening match, defeating France’s Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov to book a place in the last 16.

The world No 2 pair beat the 21st-ranked French brothers 21-17, 21-15 in 37 minutes.

The Malaysians, who lost in the semi-final stage at last week’s Malaysia Masters, are still on the hunt for their first title this year.

In the second round tomorrow, Aaron-Wooi Yik will take on Japan’s Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi or Ben Lane-Sean Vendy of England.

Also through to the second round are 26th ranked men’s doubles pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing, who upset their world No 23 compatriots, Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, 21-15, 21-17 in 30 minutes.

Their second-round clash will be against Indonesia’s world No 7 duo Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Reza Pahlevi Isfahani tomorrow.

Second seeds and world No 4 mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei had an easier opening round against newly paired compatriots Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing, winning 21-15, 21-16 in 35 minutes.

Husband-and-wife duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai lost to Korea’s Kim Jae Hyeon-Jang Ha Jeong 21-14, 13-21, 14-21 in 56 minutes.

Malaysia’s singles shuttlers in both the men’s and women’s categories were all knocked out in the opening round yesterday.