Japan Open 2026: Ubed silenced Antonsen

JAKARTA - Men's singles badminton player Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah returned in the second round of the 2026 Japan Open after he lost to the third seed from Denmark, Anders Antonsen.

Ubed, a nickname for Ubaidillah, had to admit his opponent's superiority in the two-game match 12-21 and 19-21 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, afternoon WIB.

"Today with his experience, Antonsen can better understand the right way to play. I learned a lot about how he is very neat and does not want to die easily himself," Ubed said in an official statement received after the match.

The Japan Open 2026 was Ubed's debut in the BWF Super 750 level tournament. He marked his appearance in the category with a victory over experienced Danish player Rasmus Gemke.

Ubed said that he actually hoped to make a longer trip in Japan in his debut appearance at the Super 750, but the loss in the second round buried his dream.

"It's quite happy to win in the first round of debut at the Super 750, but in terms of results, of course, we are not satisfied," he said.

Ubed is likely to compete in the 2026 BWF Super 1000 China Open which will take place next week at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre. Currently he is still in the top waiting list.

Ubed's defeat leaves Indonesia's men's singles hoping for Alwi Farhan. The 2023 junior world champion has now reached the quarterfinals after defeating Alex Lanier (France).

In addition to Ubed, the defeat was also experienced by the men's doubles Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Mohammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani. The journey of the sixth seeded pair was stopped by Ben Lane/Sean Vendy from England.