KUALA LUMPUR: Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah have proven that Malaysia's female shuttlers can rival their male counterparts when it comes to playing exciting and aggressive badminton.
In just over two years of being paired together, the national women's doubles had won several titles including the Super 750 French Open last month, and have reached a career high world No 8.
Not only have they taken the world by storm in recent months, their style of play has been a major talking point among fans and former players.
From backline jumping smashes to quick-thinking front court cross net shots, Pearly-Thinaah have done it. Not forgetting the unexpected trick shots when least expected.
Pearly said the key to their success lies in the trust that she and Thinaah have built over the past decade.
"It's all about trust. Thinaah has been my close friend since I first joined the Bukit Jalil Sports School when I was 13.
"Off court we talk about our lives, our targets and that's how we built this trust.
"It shows in our game, because we have this confidence that the other person is there to cover for us.
"And it's also because we have the courage to try and be more adventurous with our shots," said Pearly, who also stunned everyone by making a remarkable comeback from a hamstring injury, that saw her being wheeled off in tears at the Japan Open in September.
On her "miracle return" in just six weeks to land her biggest career win in Paris, Pearly said: "Well it's that feeling of wanting something really bad after missing out on an opportunity.
"I felt really disappointed in Japan because Thinaah and I had hit top form. So when I got back on court after coming back from the injury, I really just wanted to get it back.
"And having a very supportive partner helps a lot."
Pearly-Thinaah will next travel to Bangkok for the season ending World Tour Finals on Dec 7-11.
"For now, our target is to break into the world top five," Pearly said.