Top-ranked Rybakina will play Fernandez in Ningbo Open final

Malaysian badminton duo Pearly Tan-M Thinaah have etched their names in history by becoming the first women's doubles pairing to reach the French Open final twice. On day of the French Open, Pearly-Thinaah defeated Japan's Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakashini 21-17, 22-20 in a grueling 46-minute match at Arena Grand Paris. The world No 4 pair previously lifted the French Open title in 2022, marking the first time a Malaysian women's doubles team had won the championship since the tournament's inception in 1909.

Following their victory, Pearly-Thinaah expressed their ambition to claim back-to-back titles. Earlier this month, the Malaysians clinched the Super 750 Denmark Open and Indonesia Masters. They are the second pair to advance to the French Open finals, with mixed doubles pairing Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing having previously reached the semi-final stage.

The doubles category winners will earn US$70,300 (RM287,048), while the runners-up will receive US$33,250 (RM135,766). The losing semi-finalists will take home US$13,300 (RM54,306).