The All Indonesia Final Match Becomes Great Happiness For Fajar/Rian

Indonesian men's doubles Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian men's doubles Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto said the Denmark Open "All Indonesia Final" match which will be played with Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon is a big joy.

Fajar/Rian admitted that all this time he had only harbored hope of being able to fight with compatriots in the final round, because he often failed in the early stages.

"It's amazing that we were able to create the All Indonesia Final, it feels really happy because we have only seen Kevin/Marcus against Hendra/Ahsan in the final," Fajar said as quoted by Antara, Sunday.

Fajar/Rian hopes to perform optimally and come out as champions in the final match against the men's doubles, former world number one today.

Even though they have had nine matches against the pair nicknamed the Minions, all of them have never happened in the final round. Through the 10th meeting that took place in the Denmark Open final, Fajar/Rian hopes to continue the All Indonesia Final tradition in the future.

"From now onwards, we hope to continue this tradition," said Fajar.

The sixth-ranked pair passed the semifinals by defeating Malaysian representatives Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi with two straight games 21-16, 22-20 at Jyske Bank Arena Odense, Saturday.

The competition between the two pairs was tight from the start to the end of the match. In the second game, Fajar/Rian almost lost their chance of winning two straight games due to being far behind in points.

But approaching match points they raised the level of the game to change the initiative to attack Ong/Teo. Malaysia's men's doubles did not move to fight Fajar/Rian's attack, who repeatedly locked down two games' victory.

"In the second game we were left behind. We continued to focus, even though we were left behind, we didn't want to just give up. Gradually we were finally able to catch up," Rian said.