Hong Kong Open 2023 Results: Fajar/Rian Ends Bad Trend

Pasangan Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto. (Foto: Dok. PBSI)

JAKARTA - Indonesian men's doubles Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto won in the first round of the Hong Kong Open 2023. This result was achieved smoothly in two straight games with scores of 21-14 and 21-18.

Fajar/Rian achieved victory over Taiwanese representatives, Su Ching-Heng/Ye Hong-Wei at the Hong Kong Coliseum on Tuesday, September 12 afternoon WIB. The good results in the first round broke the bad trend that previously haunted the men's doubles, the first seed.

Before appearing at the Hong Kong Open, Fajar/Rian lost twice in a row in the first round. The World Championship was the first moment Fajar/Rian found themselves in a difficult situation, at that time they lost in the round of 32 when they met Lee Jhe Huei/Yang Po Hsuan.

This trend continued when they appeared at the China Open last week. At that time they collapsed in front of Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the first round.

However, Fajar/Rian broke this trend when they appeared at the Hong Kong Open 2023. In the first round of the BWF Super 500 tournament, Fajar/Rian was able to continue to the second round.

Fajar/Rian achieved victory in the first round with quite a hard effort. Having been ahead in the first few points, the Taiwanese pair managed to catch up until the score changed to 5-3 and continued to lead in the first interval with a score of 11-9 for Taiwan.

After the break, Fajar/Rian's game changed drastically to turn things around. Mistakes that Su/Ye often made themselves actually made them fall behind and the first game belonged to Fajar/Rian with a score of 21-14.

Entering the second game, Fajar/Rian were left behind at the start of the match. However, Fajar/Rian were able to leave Su/Ye after winning five points in a row which made them lead 8-4. The score was again close at 9-8 but Fajar/Rian were able to close the interval with an 11-8 lead by winning two consecutive points.

Fajar/Rian again showed an increased level of play after the interval. Fajar/Rian succeeded in creating a six point difference at 15-9. After briefly having the upper hand, Fajar/Rian again came under pressure from Su/Ye.

Su/Ye managed to catch up and cut the point difference to just two points at 15-17. The point difference changed to one point at 18-17 then 19-18.

In the midst of a difficult situation, Fajar/Rian managed to win the fast rally that occurred at the next point. They achieved match point at 20-18 and continued with one additional point which allowed them to secure a 21-18 victory.

In the second round, Fajar/Rian will face the winner of the match between Low Heng Yee/Ng Eng Cheong (Malaysia) vs Fang Chih Lee/Fang Jen Lee (Taiwan).