Crazy Comeback! Leo/Daniel Directly Reach the Thailand Open 2026 Final
JAKARTA - The doubles specialist, Leo Rolly Carnando, admitted that he was so happy to reach the final of the 2026 BWF Thailand Open Super 500. He reached the final with his old partner, Daniel Marthin.
Leo/Daniel secured the final ticket after defeating China's He Ji Ting/Ren Xiang Yu in a straight two-game match 21-15, 21-18 at the Nimibutr Stadium, Bangkok on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Leo said that the joint achievement in Bangkok, which was their first event after being reunited, was a very special record, especially because Daniel was absent for a year due to injury.
"I'm definitely happy to be able to reach the final with Daniel again. Appreciation and salute to him who can go straight to the final in the first tournament after being absent for a year, that's really good," he said in a PBSI statement.
Leo and Daniel were reunited by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) earlier last month. The 2026 Thailand Open was also their first tournament after returning together.
The two last played as a pair at the Indonesia Open in 2024. After that, PBSI decided to rotate them - bringing Leo together with Bagas Maulana and Daniel with Muhammad Shohibul Fikri.
However, the effort to find the best composition carried out by the national badminton parent did not bear fruit. The results of the evaluation then decided to bring Leo and Daniel back together.
Daniel had a gloomy time after getting injured at the Sudirman Cup. So, the 2026 Thailand Open competition was his initial proof that he had recovered completely and was ready to compete in the world's elite men's doubles.
"We have been paired even though we have been separated, but now when we are reunited, there is not much adaptation. Now we also have the same goal, to win together so it's more enjoyable, more klop," said Daniel.
Leo/Daniel is the only remaining Indonesian representative in the BWF Super 500 level tournament. In the final round, they will meet the first seeded from India, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty.
Satwiksairaj/Chirag, who once ranked number one in the world, managed to reach the final after recovering from the first game to defeat the third seed from Malaysia, Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin, with a score of 19-21, 22-20, and 21-16.
"Tomorrow we have to be more vigilant, from all sides. Their attacks must be anticipated with the condition of the field which feels different every day from the direction of the wind, so we have to be ready," said Leo.