Japan Open 2024: Fajar/Rian Lose In Quarter Finals

JAKARTA - The men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto lifted the suitcase from the quarter-finals of the Japan Open 2024.

The All England 2024 champion had to leave the tournament after a dramatic loss of three games 16-21, 21-10, and 16-21 against Malaysia's representative, Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin, on Friday, August 23, 2024, evening WIB.

"The opponent played well today, while we still made a lot of mistakes ourselves. A lot of points for the opponent and this backfired on us. In the end, the opponent benefited a lot from our mistakes," said Fajar after the match.

In the first game, Fajar/Rian was pressured by opponents from the start. They had the moment to equalize after the interval, but could only get two draws.

As for the second game, the world's former number one pair dominated from the start. They immediately scored four points in a row and could not be chased by any more opponents afterward.

Unfortunately, in the last game they were sluggish again. Fajar/Rian were not given the opportunity to equalize after a 6-6 draw.

"I am certainly disappointed with myself. I certainly don't want to play like that. After this I have to introspect myself. Earlier in the field I screamed because I was so nervous to encourage myself so that I could rise again," said Fajar.

This defeat made clashes between Indonesian representatives in the semifinals canceled. If they win, Fajar/Rian meet Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Daniel Marthin who had previously passed.

Fikri/Daniel became the first representatives of Indonesia to reach the semifinals after beating the Chinese pair, Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi, two straight games 21-14 and 21-14.

Men's doubles is Indonesia's only hope in this Super 750 BWF level event. Of the 10 representatives who came down, three of them fell in the first half, four in the second half, and most recently Fajar/Rian.