JAKARTA - The men's doubles Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Mohammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani had to play a dramatic three-game match against Chiu Hsiang Chieh/Wang Chi-Lin to qualify for the second round of the 2026 Japan Open.
Sabar/Reza, who are ranked as the sixth seed in the BWF Super 750 event, secured the ticket after locking in a victory over the Chinese Taipei representative with a score of 21-18, 17-21, and 21-16 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Reza admitted that he played this match in a condition that was not optimal because of a back injury that recurred after last year.
"I didn't practice for a week in Jakarta and here yesterday was just a light practice, but it's a shame to have to back down considering everything has been prepared. So, I tried to play, tried to force it, and the important thing is not to make the injury worse," he said.
Sabar/Reza played the first game well and even got a six-point lead at the interval. The opponent pair then got up and tied the score, but couldn't steal the lead at all.
In the second game, Sabar/Reza was actually ahead 5-2, but the momentum began to change when the opponent tied the score and then took over the game after the score was 6-6. They continued to lead after that so they forced the match to be determined through the third game.
The match was more intense in the third game. The two pairs took turns scoring points before Sabar/Reza led by only one point at the break. The Chinese Taipei pair then identified the score, but began to be helpless after Sabar/Reza scored four consecutive lifts after that.
"Appreciation for Reza who still wants to fight to the maximum with a condition that is not 100 percent," said Sabar.
Sabar/Reza is the first Indonesian men's doubles to qualify for the second round of the tournament from the three pairs that were relegated. The other two men's doubles who have not played the first round are Fajar Alfian/Muhamma Shohibul Fikri and Raymond Indra/Nikolaus Joaquin.
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