Men's Doubles Pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto Reach Thailand Open 2022 Badminton Final

Indonesian men's doubles, Fajar Alfian (front) and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, advanced to the Thailand Open 2022 badminton final after beating the Malaysian pair. (Instagram/@fajaralfian95)

JAKARTA — Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto made it to the final of the Thailand Open 2022 after winning over Malaysian representatives Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik.

Fajar/Rian's 21-19, 21-14 straight game victory at the Impact Arena on Saturday, May 21, WIB, opened the opportunity for them to steal their second title this year.

Fajar/Rian immediately fell behind by three points at the start of the first game. The world's seventh-ranked pair then bounced back and took an 11-8 lead at the interval.

After the double break, Malaysia rose and managed to equal the score 13-13. Five times the same position was created after that before Fajar / Rian won two consecutive points after 19-19 points to close the first game.

Entering the second game, Fajar/Rian immediately stepped on the gas and spawned two consecutive numbers. They continued to maintain the difference in numbers until they were four points ahead at the break.

After the break, the Malaysian pair had no chance at all to match Fajar/Rian's points. They were forced to only add seven more points so they had to postpone their dream of going to the final.

This is Fajar/Rian's second consecutive win over the world's sixth-ranked pair. Fajar/Rian previously won when they met in the same round at the Swiss Open last March.

However, Fajar/Rian still lost head to head 2-3 to Aaron/Soh. Prior to these two defeats, Aaron/Soh recorded three consecutive wins over Fajar/Rian in 2019, namely the China Open, All England, and Malaysia Masters.

At this year's Thailand Open, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto were the only Indonesian representatives to advance to the final. If they come out as champions then this will be their second title this year after the Swiss Open.