Despite winning the first game, Fajar/Rian claimed that they had trouble in keeping up to the opponent’s game play on the second game, where the opponents played the game using mixed doubles event strategy.

“On the second game, the opponent changed their strategy and they played the game like in a mixed doubles match. Most of the time, Zhang stayed at the front part of the field while Liu stayed behind. Thus, we were not ready to play the balls in the front court,” as expressed by Fajar after the match.

Another tense match was shown to the supporters in Istora on the deciding game. Fajar/Rian who were leading the game by 11-6, was overtaken by Zhang/Liu and turned the score to 19-17. Moreover, after the score was leveled in point No. 20, Fajar/Rian seemed to have their confidence boosted and managed to win the battle of smashes and ended the game with the score of 25-23. “I couldn’t believe that we secured all the critical points at the end of game 3 and won the match. We were only focusing on how to grab point by point. When the score leveled 20-20, we believed that we can make it,” Fajar said.

This result means that Fajar/Rian is confirmed to be the opponent for Marcus/Kevin on the semifinal match that will be held on Saturday (7/7). Playing against Marcus/Kevin for the first time in their career, Fajar/Rian claimed that they will show their capability.

“Speed-wise and power-wise they are way better than us. But we played a lot against them during practice, so let’s see which pair is more ready on the field, and nothing is impossible,” Rian added.