Pearly sees lasting combo with ‘Ah Toh’ – even if they don’t shop together

PETALING JAYA: National girls’ doubles shuttler Pearly Tan Koong Le (pic) sees her partnership with Toh Ee Wei as one for the long run.

Pearly believes the combination will only get better after the duo ended their junior careers with a historic silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Markham, Canada, on Sunday.

Pearly-Ee Wei fell short of making it a double joy for Malaysia when they lost 16-21, 16-21 to top seeds Liu Xuanxuan-Xia Yuting of China in the girls’ doubles final. Earlier, Goh Jin Wei had bagged the girls’ singles title.

In July, Pearly-Ee Wei also finished runners-up in the Asian Junior Championships in Jakarta.

Despite the misses, Pearly-Ee Wei can still walk tall.

It’s the best-ever Malaysian outing in the event often billed as the country’s weakest department.

Malaysia’s previous best performers were Goh Liu Ying-Ng Hui Lin and Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean in New Zealand (2007) and Japan (2012) respectively.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Pearly. “I wish we could’ve ended our junior careers as the champions. That would have been perfect.

“But we did give our best. It’s just our opponents played really well and were the better pair of the day. We’ll take this (silver).”

Pearly and Ee Wei made their world junior debut in Bilbao, Spain, in 2016 and reached the last 16. They lost at the same stage a year later in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

They took their partnership a notch higher this year when they won the Dutch Junior Open in January in style by defeating Xuanxuan-Yuting.

Pearly-Ee Wei went on to capture their second title in the Malaysian Junior Open in August and made eight semi-final appearances in 11 outings.

“Our consistent performances this year proved that we’re moving in the right direction,” said Pearly.

“I’m not sure what the future holds when we move up to the senior team, but I really hope to continue partnering Ee Wei for many, many years to come.

“Over the last two years, we clicked well and were able get the best out from each other. Ee Wei is a front court specialist, very skilful while I prefer to attack from behind. And we both have a really solid defence.”

Pearly described her relationship with Ee Wei, whom she fondly calls Ah Toh, as very close.

“We’re best friends off court too. We both love online mobile games and team up to go up against other players,” said Pearly.

“Sadly, Ah Toh would not join me for any shopping trips. I love shopping, but she doesn’t!”