JAKARTA - Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto's pair managed to secure the first ticket for Indonesia for the last eight of the India Open 2023.
The world number one men's doubles escaped by defeating their compatriots, Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. Fajar/Rian won two straight games 21-17 and 21-18 at Indira Gandhi Arena, Thursday, January 19 at noon WIB.
This is Bagas/Fikri's fourth consecutive defeat from Fajar/Rian. Their one-one victory over their seniors took place in the last 32 of the Indonesia Masters 2021.
Fajar/Rian, who is the second seed, will then face Mark Lamsfuss/Marvin Seidel (Germany). The pair went to the quarter-finals after beating Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Denmark).
Meanwhile, the mixed doubles Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati had to stop in the second half. The pair lost two straight games 16-21 and 9-21 to China's first seed, Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong.
"The first game we have put in the best fight, even had time to excel in the first interval. Unfortunately, because we were less consistent and lost experience, we were unable to maintain the advantage," said Rehan.
Meanwhile, according to mixed doubles coach Amon Sunaryo, this defeat shows his students still need a lot of improvement.
"There are many shortcomings that must be addressed by their performances. Everything. From the physical, power, speed, defense, way of playing, and consistency. From the match against the best pair in the world, it can be seen that Rehan/Lisa still have many shortcomings that need to be improved," he said.
Rehan/Lisa's defeat made Indonesia now just have to hope for Dejan Ferdinandsyah/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja. The pair will try their last eight when they meet Japan's Kyohei Yamashita/Naru Shinoya.
As for the men's doubles, Indonesia can still add eight tickets if former world number one Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo win over Ren Xiang Yu/Tan Qiang (China).
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