New Challenges for Fajar/Fikri at the Korea Open

SUWON, TUESDAY – The best result achieved by the Indonesian men's doubles squad in the China Masters tournament did not meet expectations. A new challenge is being faced in the Korea Open tournament, including the pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri.

The duo of Fajar/Fikri will compete in the fourth tournament following their debut at the Japan Open in July. In the three previous tournaments, they reached the quarter-finals of the Japan Open, won the China Open, and advanced to the semi-finals of the China Masters.

The Korea Open, which will take place at the Suwon Gymnasium from September 23 to 28, 2025, is a Super 500 level tournament, lower than the three other tournaments participated in by Fajar/Fikri. Nevertheless, the challenges do not imply that it will be easier, including during the first and second rounds that will be held on Thursday (September 25, 2025).

Fajar/Fikri will face the Japanese pair, Kenya Mitsuhashi/Hiroki Okamura, after defeating Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azrin/Tan Wee Kiong, 21-18, 21-12, in the first round. The achievements of Mitsuhashi/Okamura, holders of two titles from Super 100 tournaments, are not as high as those of Fajar and Fikri, who have titles from Super 1000 tournaments.

However, as Fikri stated, he must not be complacent against the pair ranked 34th in the world. Like most Japanese players, Mitsuhashi/Okamura are resilient players, requiring extra hard work to break through their defense.

The adjustment is not optimal, I still have a bit of difficulty.

Such a playing style led them to victory over the second-seeded pair from China, Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang, with scores of 18-21, 21-18, 21-18 in the early rounds. Therefore, Fikri will be wary of Mitsuhashi/Okamura, who will have high confidence after defeating the silver medalists of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The alert should be raised because Fajar/Fikri believes that they have not performed at their best in the first round. The shuttlecock speed, which is faster compared to that used in the China Masters, requires them to adapt in order to control it. "The adjustment is not yet optimal; I am still having some difficulties," said Fajar.

In addition to adapting to all conditions on the field, the open competition in the men's doubles category is another factor that requires Fajar/Fikri to remain vigilant against players with lower achievements than themselves. The first round on the first day of the tournament was marked by the elimination of two other seeded players besides Liang/Wang.

The sixth seed, Kang Min-hyuk/Ki Dong-ju, lost to Sun Wen Jun/Zeng Wei Han with scores of 22-24, 21-14, 19-21. In another match, Huang Di/Liu Yang (7) were defeated by Kim Gi-jung/Kim Sa-rang with scores of 22-24, 19-21.

The Indonesian pair, Muhammad Rian Ardianto/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan, actually had the opportunity to eliminate the seeded players in the first round when facing Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayasahi (4). Rian/Yeremia consistently took the lead in each game, including a score of 14-7 in the first game, but ultimately lost 19-21, 15-21.

The result was the same as what they achieved at the China Masters when they were defeated by Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izuddin in the first round. In Korea, Rian/Yeremia even performed worse compared to when they managed to play three tight games against Goh/Izuddin.

Rian/Yeremia were unable to meet the expectations of the men's doubles coach of the national training center, Antonius Budi Ariantho, based on the evaluation results of the Indonesian men's doubles squad at the China Masters. Antonius hopes that Indonesian players can reduce mistakes and be more focused when facing crucial moments.

In addition to Fajar/Fikri, who have already advanced to the second round, the task must be undertaken by Leo Rolly Carnando/Bagas Maulana, who will compete in the first round on Wednesday. The pair, seeded eighth, will face Lee Jong-min/Wang Chan.

Other Indonesian players who will begin their appearances on Wednesday include Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Alwi Farhan, Putri Kusuma Wardani, and the mixed doubles squad.

The only son, Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah, gained experience and lessons from his defeats in two tournaments he participated in Asia in September. The semifinalist of the 2024 Junior World Championship was eliminated in the qualifications of the Korea Open and the Hong Kong Open, two weeks prior.

The two tournaments are the highest level that Zaki participated in during his first year in the BWF World Tour. Previously, the 18-year-old athlete competed in Super 300 tournaments as the highest level, achieving his best result in the quarter-finals of the Taiwan Open.

"I am happy to have the opportunity to compete in the Super 500 tournament, although the results were not as desired. From the Hong Kong and Korea Opens, I have learned a lot. When playing at a high level, both the mindset and mental strength must be strong. A slight lapse can result in losing many points," said Zaki after being defeated by fellow Indonesian player, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, with scores of 16-21, 21-13, 21-23, in the quarterfinals of the qualification round.

Chico appeared at the Korea Open after winning the Indonesia Masters Super 100 in Riau, September 16-21. He became one of Indonesia's representatives in the men's singles alongside Anthony, Alwi, and Jonatan Christie.