Indonesian mixed doubles badminton players Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja secured their ticket to the quarterfinals of the BWF Tour Super 1000 China Open 2025 after overcoming the Japanese pair Hiroki Midorikawa/Natsu Saito.
In the round of 16 match which took place at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, Changzhou, Thursday, Rehan/Gloria beat the Japanese pair in two straight games, 21-14 and 21-15.
Rehan revealed that the key to his victory in this match was the pattern and tempo that he had been able to master since the first game.
"Thank God, we won. We were able to execute the pattern and tempo we wanted today, and we played quite well," said Rehan, as quoted by PBSI, as received in Jakarta on Thursday.
According to Rehan, based on his analysis, the Japanese pair, ranked fifth in the world, must continue to be pressured in a fast-paced game.
Therefore, from the start, Rehan/Gloria did not let Midorikawa/Saito try to slow down the tempo of the game.
"We kept pressuring them, pushing them at a fast tempo, because if they played slowly, they could be dangerous. Their strength lies in that playing style," said Rehan.
The pair, currently ranked 17th in the world, will be looking to play freely as they enter the quarterfinals of this BWF Super 750 tournament.
Rehan/Gloria's qualification also follows their compatriots Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu who had already secured their tickets to the quarter-finals.
Jafar/Felisha beat the Danish pair Mads Vestergaard/Christine Busch in two straight games, 21-9, 21-15 in the round of 16.
