In the semifinals played at the St Jakobshalle, Basel today, the world No 30 bounced from a set down to overcome the world No 10 and tournament’s second seed, Mei Kuan-Meng Yean 10-21, 21-14, 21-16 in a battle that lasted more than an hour, according to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on their website.

In the last battle for their maiden major tournament title, Pearly-Thinaah will be facing Stoeva sisters, Gabriela-Stefani of Bulgaria, who defeated top seed Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai 21-16, 21-14.

Meanwhile, the nation’s top men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia faced another setback after being shown the exit by eighth seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand 18-21, 10-21.

Malaysia’s campaign in the mixed doubles category also came to an end with Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing being ousted by Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue of France 19-21, 10-21.

Favourites in the men’s doubles category, Aaron Chia-Soh Woi Yik also lost 13-21, 21-13, 16-21 to unseeded Germans Mark Lamsfuss-Marvin Seidel.