Malaysia Open 2024: Rehan/Lisa To The Second Round

Mixed doubles pair Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati (Instagram/@rehannaufalk28).

JAKARTA - Mixed doubles pair Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati successfully qualified for the second round of the Malaysia Open 2024.

They fought three games to beat the German pair, Mark Lamsfuss/Isabel Lohau, with a score of 21-15, 12-21, and 21-17 at the Axiata Arena, Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

"Alhamdulillah, we are quite happy with today's victory even though we feel that our game is not optimal."

"We want to fight this year, collect as many points as possible. Participating in the Olympics or not is a matter of later, the important thing is that we maximize every match first," said Rehan after the match.

In the second round, Rehan/Lisa will face a tough test against first seed Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong. The pair from China qualified after stopping Hong Kong representative Lee Chun Hei wary/Ng Tsz Yau.

"We have fought Zheng/Huang before. So, tomorrow the speed and resilience must be increased again," said Rehan.

On paper, Rehan/Lisa have a bad record against Zheng/Huang. From the previous three clashes they have always lost to the world number one pair.

The previous three defeats Rehan/Lisa had suffered against Zheng/Huang occurred at the Denmark Open 2022, India Open 2023, and All England 2023.

Rehan/Lisa are the first Indonesian representatives to qualify for the second round of this Super 1000 level event. There are still 10 other representatives who are struggling following the couple's footsteps.