Malaysia Open 2025: Fajar/Rian Didang Deputy Host

The Indonesian men's doubles pair, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, in the first round of the Malaysia Open 2025 (doc. PBSI).

JAKARTA - The men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto are certain to have to pack a suitcase earlier than the first round of the Malaysia Open 2025.

The All England 2024 champion was eliminated from this tournament after failing to maintain the lead and falling rubber games 21-15, 17-21, and 13-21 against the host representatives, Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

"The results we don't want are for sure. Ong/Teo played very well, their defense was extraordinary, several times we had difficulty dismantling them," Fajar said in a statement received.

Fajar/Rian's defeat extended the list of Indonesian representatives who were eliminated from this tournament. They are the fourth representatives to return early.

Some of the names that had already lost before them were Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Jonatan Christie, and Febriana Dwi Puji Kusuma/Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi.

Fajar said that in addition to the solid defense of the opposing pair, they were also impatient in processing the pattern of play after winning the first game.

"We have to be more focused, we shouldn't make many mistakes ourselves. Attacks must also be more tactical, effective, but patient, let alone meet tough opponents like them," he said.

Last year, Fajar/Rian made a further trip at the Malaysia Open. At that time, they could have made it to the quarter-finals.

As for the 2023 edition, this pair successfully came out as champions. The title ended the Indonesian men's doubles drought since Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in 2017.