Malaysia Open 2024: Fajar/Rian Lose In Quarter Finals, Indonesian Representatives Run Out

JAKARTA Indonesia is certain to have no more representatives at the 2024 Malaysia Open after Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto fell in the quarter-finals.

The defending champion is certain to return home after losing to the rubber games 21-16, 17-21, and 18-21 against Liang Wei Sekok/Wang Chang at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Friday, January 12, 2024.

Fajar/Rian played tight at the beginning of the first game. However, after 8-8 they managed to maintain their advantage until they secured victory.

In the second game, they took the lead again until the interval with a difference of four points. However, four points in a row from the opponent managed to equalize the score so that Fajar/Rian was under pressure.

Chasing numbers then served up to 17-17. The opponent then produced four consecutive points to force the match into the deciding game.

In the third game, Fajar was completely left behind from the start. They had time to thwart two match points before admitting the opponent's advantage.

This defeat is the second in a row that Fajar/Rian have experienced against the Chinese representative. In addition, this result made Fajar/Rian's winning record now with Liang/Wang to 2-3.

Fajar/Rian are one of two Indonesian representatives who qualified for the quarter-finals with the women's singles Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.

However, Gregoria had already fallen first after losing two straight games against second seed China, Chen Yufei, this morning.