Fajar/Rian Anticipate Difficult Match Against Liang/Wang In The Quarter-finals Of The 2024 BAC

Indonesian men's doubles Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto while competing in the round of 16 of the 2024 Asian Badminton Championship (BAC) in Ningbo, China, Thursday (11/4/2024). (photo: dock.)

JAKARTA - Indonesian men's doubles, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, are waiting for a fierce duel against the seeded pair Liang Wei Berking/Wang Chang in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Asian Badminton Championship (BAC) in Ningbo, China, which will be held on Friday 12 April.

Tomorrow against Liang Wei Humb/Wang Chang, it was a match I look forward to very much. Lastly in several meetings, we lost (to them). The opponent is a good young couple with appearances," said Fajar, as quoted from a brief statement from PP PBSI, Thursday.

The last meeting between Fajar/Rian and the Liang/Wang pair took place in the quarter-finals of the BWF Super 1000 Malaysia Open 2024 tournament.

We haven't seen them for a long time. Lastly at the 2024 Malaysia Open, early last January. But after that the opponent had experienced an unfavorable result. We are certainly curious because we lost in the last few meetings. Now we want to face them," added Fajar.

Fajar/Rian, who are the sixth seed in the 2024 BAC, consider the upcoming match an important simulation event ahead of the Thomas Cup and Paris Olympics. "Against the best pair and number one China, we want to show our best performance," Fajar said.

Despite waiting for tomorrow's match with great enthusiasm, Fajar/Rian are determined to prepare carefully and anticipate other factors such as the support of the host audience.

"Of course the opponent will appear with high motivation. As the host's representative, they will definitely be supported by the audience. Therefore, what must be prepared is not only technique, but the main thing is mental," said Rian.

Meanwhile, Fajar/Rian managed to advance to the last eight of the 2024 BAC after winning over Taiwanese representatives Lu Ching Yao/Yang Po Han in the last 16 through a straight game with a score of 21-17, 21-16.

"We compete by bringing strategy, which is to precede the front game. This is to reduce the game of opponents who rely on speed and power. We suppressed the opponent's advantage by taking the initiative to take the front game more," explained Fajar.

With this achievement, Indonesia placed four representatives in the 2024 BAC quarter-finals, including men's singles Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Jonatan Christie, as well as women's singles Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.