Depak Ben Lane/Sean Vendy 2 Live Game, Fajar/Rian To The Semifinals Of The 2022 BWF World Championship

Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Photo: PBSI)

JAKARTA - The fifth-seeded men's doubles action, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto has not been stopped at the 2022 BWF World Championship by advancing to the semifinals after defeating Ben Lane/Sean Vendy at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo, Friday.

This encouraging result was achieved by winning two straight games 21-11, 21-16 over the English pair, as well as avenging the defeat of their national teammates, world number one Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon one day earlier.

This victory is also relevant for Fajar / Rian, who was defeated by the 14th seed in the inaugural meeting at the 2021 Thailand Open.

The key to Fajar/Rian's victory lies in their ability to change the rhythm and pattern of the game with a fast phase. This ability makes them able to outperform Ben/Sean's playing style which tends to be monotonous.

Fajar/Rian's action, which started serving by playing rally, then turned into netting or smash game, was often presented in the second game when they were under pressure in the early interval.

Starting the second game, Fajar/Rian could not move and were 5-8 behind in the English men's doubles. However, after the interval, Fajar/Rian was able to adapt to a different field position from the first game.

Had a two-point lead at 16-14, Fajar/Rian were still overshadowed by Ben/Sean, who tried to catch up with more and more regular smash hits.

However, Fajar/Rian who has been released from the pressure of playing is calmer, by maintaining a dynamic playing pattern as before.

Fajar / Rian also won in the 29th minute and ensured they entered the last four. In the next round, Fajar/Rian are still waiting for potential opponents between compatriots Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan and MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila from India