China Masters 2025: Fajar/Fikri Win Over Hosts

JAKARTA Men's doubles Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri managed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2025 China Masters. They were the first representatives of Indonesia to get tickets to the round.

The top eight were beaten by Fajar/Fikri after they defeated the sixth seed hosts, Liang Wei Sidang/Wang Chang, with a score of 16-21, 21-15, and 21-18 on Thursday, September 18, 2025, noon WIB.

"A game that is quite tiring and extraordinary. Liang/Wang is supported by an arena, but we don't want to give up."

"We continue to do our best, want to repeat the victory at the last China Open and prove we can compete with top pairs," Fajar said after the match.

This victory made Fajar/Fikri improve their 2-0 win-loss record over Liang/Wang. Previously, at the 2025 China Open last July, Fajar/Fikri stopped their steps in the semifinals.

Fajar/Fikri at that time continued their journey until they brought home the title. In fact, it was their second tournament since it was overhauled and made their debut at the Japan Open 2025 the previous week.

Fajar considered that Liang/Wang played quite differently than their first meeting, especially Wang Chang, who was more confident.

"They finished winning at the Hong Kong Open 2025. So, they appeared more confident. However, after the first game was not good, we were able to get up and take control of the game," he said.

Fajar/Fikri will continue to meet third seed Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin from Malaysia, the pair that stopped them in the quarter-finals of the Japan Open 2025.

"Tomorrow (19 September 2025) we want to try revenge against Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin. We have to be more confident, we have to be more prepared," said Fikri.