China Open 2024: Fajar/Rian Tembus Quarter Finals
JAKARTA - The men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto easily reached the quarter-finals of the China Open 2024.
The former world number one went through the second round of the tournament after winning 21-15 and 21-8 over the Danish pair, Andreas Sondergaard/Jesper Toft, on Thursday, September 19, 2024, WIB night.
"In the first game we were still chatting about what the opponent's game was like. Our field conditions lost by the wind, so it was a bit heavy in his punches," Fajar said after the match.
In the first game, Fajar/Rian conceded two early points. They then got up with four consecutive points and forced the tight match to run until the position was 14-14.
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After that moment, Fajar/Rian immediately moved away with three consecutive points. The opponent had cut off the number, but Fajar/Rian immediately returned with the next four points.
In the second game, Fajar/Rian started the game well. They then dominated and recorded two very long consecutive points afterwards, six and nine each.
In the quarter-finals, Friday, September 20, 2024, Fajar/Rian will meet representatives of Malaysia, Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi. The duel will be their 12th competitive clash.
In the previous 11 clashes, Fajar/Rian still had a 7-4 winning record. However, in the latest clashes at last year's Asian Championship which took place in Dubai, Fajar/Rian lost.
"A very tough couple and very good defense. We have to be more vigilant and not rush in attack," said Fajar.
Fajar/Rian are the fifth and last representatives of Indonesia who confirmed themselves to reach the quarter-finals of the BWF Super 1000 level tournament.
The other four representatives who have passed are Jonatan Christie, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Dejan Ferdinansyah/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Daniel Marthin.
In the second half of this tournament, Indonesia actually had six representatives. However, the pair Leo Rolly Carnando/Bagas Maulana lost so they were eliminated.