Singapore Open 2025: Fajar/Rian Beat Malaysia's Representative

JAKARTA - The men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto stopped representatives of Malaysia, Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azriyn/Tan Wee Kiong, from reaching the second round of the Singapore Open 2025.

Fajar/Rian took 36 minutes to win two straight sets 21-18 and 21-16 on Tuesday, 27 May 2025. This is the first ticket to the second round of the tournament which was secured by representatives of Indonesia.

"Alhamdulillah, the first match went smoothly. Even though I made my own mistakes several times," Fajar said in a statement received by the media.

The sixth seeded pair appeared so dominant in the first game. They scored seven points in a row and did not give opponents the opportunity to equalize the score.

The Malaysian pair then gave a tight fight in the second game. They scored the first point and continued to press Fajar/Rian in the catch-up drama. However, after 13-13 it was Fajar/Rian's turn to continue to lead.

"In the second game, the key is service and service reception. With field conditions like this, you can't play rallies. So, the front ball game must be prime and outperform the opponent," said Fajar.

Fajar/Rian, who previously decided to miss the 2025 Malaysia Masters, will then meet Kittinupong Kedren/Dechapol Puavaranukroh.

The pair from Thailand reached the second half after defeating representatives of Indonesia, Leo Rolly Carnando/Bagas Maulana, in a fierce rubber game match.

"Against Dechapol/Kedren in the round of 16 it won't be easy for us. Tomorrow there are still days to prepare so we have to prepare ourselves as well as possible and stay alert," said Rian.

Indonesia still has five representatives who have not played, including the men's doubles Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani.

The other four representatives are Jonatan Christie, Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu, Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, and Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.