KUALA LUMPUR: Women's pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah admit that they need to improve their physical fitness despite their creditable run to the Korea Open last week.
Thinaah said their defeat to South Koreans Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong was not down to Pearly's injury or fatigue.
"I did not blame fatigue as the reason for our defeat, it was just how we were feeling at the time.
"Pearly's ankle injury, too, did not play a part as the home pair were just more prepared than us, we need to give them credit," Thinaah said today.
Pearly had to request treatment for her ankle after slipping on the court in the first game. She required more treatment after the match.
Thinaah, 26, said they need to improve their physical fitness to be competitive against the world's top pairs.
"I think moving towards the Hong Kong Open next week, we just need to keep enjoying our game and keep up our positive momentum," added Thinaah, who rose to eighth in the world with Pearly after their runners-up finish in Seoul.