Indonesian men's doubles coach Antonius Budi Ariantho has urged Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri not to become complacent after winning the 2026 Super 750 Japan Open, as they will soon face tougher challenges and defend their Super 1000 China Open title.
"There's still the China Open after this. So, I hope they stay focused and don't lose their focus, because even though the opponents aren't much different, the tournament is at a higher level, the Super 1000. Hopefully, this title will boost their confidence," said Antonius in an official PBSI statement
Fajar/Fikri have little time to shift their focus. After the Japan Open final the China Open is scheduled to take place in Changzhou from July 21–26.
The China Open is a BWF World Tour Super 1000 tournament with a total prize pool of two million US dollars one level above the Japan Open which has Super 750 statusl.
The tournament also has special meaning for Fajar/Fikri because they came as defending champions.
At the 2025 China Open, Fajar/Fikri defeated Malaysian pair Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik 21-15, 21-14 in the final. They won the title in just their second tournament as a pair.
