KUALA LUMPUR: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah could hardly have picked a better time to rediscover their winning touch as they return to the French Open, the tournament that helped establish them among the world's best four years ago.
The world No. 5 head into the Super 750 event starting tomorrow fresh from Sunday's Denmark Open triumph, their first title since January.
Their 21-18, 21-11 victory over Japan's Hinata Suzuki-Nao Yamakita also ended Malaysia's 18-year wait for the Denmark Open women's doubles crown.
More importantly, it marked a timely return to form after several months of mixed results, following an impressive run that saw them win the Arctic Open and Kumamoto Masters late last year before adding the Indonesia Masters in January.
Their Denmark Open success was also their first title won on court this season, having been awarded the Indonesia Masters crown through a walkover in the final.
The French Open holds special memories for Pearly-Thinaah, who made history in 2022 by becoming Malaysia's first women's doubles champions at the tournament.
That breakthrough Super 750 triumph proved a turning point in their careers, paving the way for their rise into the world's elite.
Four years on, the second seeds will hope to make another strong run, starting against Turkiye's Bengisu Ercetin-Nazlican Inci.
They could face compatriots Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting in the second round, with Bulgaria's Stoeva sisters Gabriela and Stefanie, and Japan's third seeds Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi among their possible quarter-final and semi-final opponents respectively.
Meanwhile, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik arrive in France with a different mission — turning their consistency into more titles.
The former world champions finished runners-up in Denmark after losing 21-8, 21-11 to Indonesia's Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri on Sunday, having beaten world No. 1 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae in the semi-finals.
While their ability to reach the latter stages is beyond doubt, converting those opportunities into titles remains a challenge.
Remarkably, Aaron-Wooi Yik have won only four titles from 18 World Tour finals together.
They have also lost all three finals contested this season — the Malaysia Open, All England and Denmark Open — with their last title coming at the Singapore Open in June last year.
Seeded fourth, they face tricky opening battle against China's He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu, with a possible quarter-final against Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi or compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
A semi-final meeting with reigning world champions Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang of China could also be on the cards.
The tournament, however, will take place against a backdrop of unrest in France, where widespread protests turned violent over the weekend, including clashes between demonstrators and police in central Paris.
The French Open venue, Arena Grand Paris in Tremblay-en-France, is located about 17km northeast of Place de la République, one of the main flashpoints.
The tournament remains scheduled to proceed from tomorrow until Sunday.
Among the other Malaysian challengers, Arctic Open champions Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King open against Americans Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith, while Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin face Denmark's Christian Faust Kjaer-Rasmus Kjaer.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun play Japan's Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi, Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong meet Thailand's Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul, and Chia Wei Jie-Teo Ee Yi take on China's Hu Ke Yuan-Lin Xiang Yi.
Xin Yee-Carmen face France's Margot Lambert-Camille Pognante.
In mixed doubles, Denmark Open semi-finalists Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing meet China's Gao Jia Xuan-Wu Meng Ying, while Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai face Germany's Marvin Seidel-Thuc Phuong Nguyen.
Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin play Indonesia's Amri Syahnawi-Nita Violina Marwah, and Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien face Taiwan's Wu Guan Xun-Lee Chia Hsin.
In singles, Leong Jun Hao faces Japan's Koki Watanabe, while K. Letshanaa meets Thailand's eighth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd