India Open 2024: Fajar/Rian Step Into The Second Round

Men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto to the second round of the India Open 2024 (doc. PBSI).

JAKARTA - The men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto managed to make a comeback to secure the ticket to the second round of the 2024 India Open.

Fajar/Rian played a 61-minute match to beat the Malaysian pair, Man Wei Chong/Kai Wun Tee, with rubber games 16-21, 21-15, and 21-13 on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, noon WIB.

In the first and second games, Fajar/Rian got fierce resistance. They had taken the lead in the first set before the opponent turned ahead and kept the gap points until they won.

Entering the second game, Fajar/Rian was again forced to play tight until they drew 8-8. After that, their pace could not be followed by the opponent.

Meanwhile, in the third game Fajar/Rian successfully stepped on the gas with eight consecutive points. This condition makes it really difficult for the opponent to reduce the points gap.

"In the third game, our confidence has increased and they were under pressure again. Had a shuttlecock on the nose, but it was safe. It used to happen and it didn't happen on purpose," Fajar said after the match.

This is Fajar/Rian's second victory over Man/Kai. Their only previous meeting which was won by Fajar/Rian took place at the 2022 Asian Badminton Championships.

Fajar/Rian are the second representatives of Indonesia to qualify for the second round of this Super 750 level event. Previously, the first ticket had been secured by the women's singles Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.

"In the round of 16, we have to reduce our own mistakes. Adaptation to the field must also be even better. Given that cold weather causes the shuttlecock to be a bit slow. It is different from last week's 2024 Malaysia Open," said Fajar.

Fajar/Rian are one of three male doubles representatives who played in this event. Apart from them, Indonesia also sent Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin and Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri.