China Open 2024: Fikri/Daniel Qualify Semifinals

Indonesian men's doubles, Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (left) and Daniel Marthin. (PBSI)

JAKARTA - The men's doubles pair Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Daniel Marthin managed to qualify for the semifinals of the 2024 China Open.

They stepped on the top four of the suits beating eighth seed from Denmark, Rasmus Kjaer/Frederik Sogaard, two straight games 21-19 and 21-19 at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, Friday, September 20, noon WIB.

"We are grateful to be able to win the match, but today our game is not enough to go out. We have to fix it again in the semifinals tomorrow," Daniel said after the match, quoted by the official statement.

This is the third semifinal for the couple in four tournaments they have participated in since the formation was overhauled by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI).

Previously, they achieved the same round in Japan and the Korea Open. As for when they descended in Hong Kong last week, their steps ran aground in the quarter-finals.

Fikri/Daniel will next be in the semifinals tomorrow with the seventh seed from Malaysia Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin. This became their second competitive clash after the second round of the Hong Open last week.

Goh/Nur themselves reached the semifinals in China after repatriating their compatriot Man Wei Chong/Kai Wun Tee in a two-game straight match.

"Last week we won, but here things are different, so we have to learn again what the game is like," said Fikri.

This is the second semifinal ticket that is secured by Indonesia. Previously, Dejan Ferdinansyah/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja got the first ticket.