Japan Open 2026: Alwi Bungkam Alex Lanier to the Quarterfinals

JAKARTA - Men's singles badminton player Alwi Farhan managed to secure an important victory over seventh seed Alex Lanier (France) to reach the quarterfinals of the 2026 BWF Super 750 Japan Open.

Alwi looked so fragile in the first game before dominating the next two games and closing the match with a score of 9-21, 21-14, and 21-16 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, afternoon WIB.

After the match, Alwi said that he had anticipated a clash with Alex Lanier after the official draw came out. As a result, he was able to put up a fierce fight to survive in the tournament.

"The victory is important because from the last few meetings I always lose and people start to underestimate, but I prove (that) I can come back well," said Alwi in an official statement.

The 2023 junior world champion shuttler was really down after the 3-3 score in the first game. His best game couldn't come out so he was forced to only get nine points.

Then, in the second game, he turned around to dominate the course of the match after the score was 2-2. The tight score also only occurred at the beginning of the third game. Alwi began to find momentum when he scored seven consecutive points from a situation of being behind 4-6.

"Of course I don't want to repeat what has been a mistake in the last few meetings. I always leave the field with my head bowed, but today I made sure that whatever the result I would leave the field with my head held high," said Alwi.

This victory makes Alwi now have a record of winning-losing 3-4 against Lanier. Three of the four losses occurred this year - consecutively at the Malaysia Open, Thomas & Uber Cup, and Singapore Open.

In the quarterfinal round, Alwi will meet Kodai Naraoka. The Japanese badminton player reached the last eight after stopping Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul, the Thai representative who sent Jonatan Christie home in the first round.