Fajar/Fikri reach China Open final after 21-19, 14-21, 21-19 win

Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri advanced to the final of the BWF World Tour Super 1000 China Open 2026 after beating home pair Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang 21-19, 14-21, 21-19 in the semifinals in Changzhou on Saturday. The second-seeded Indonesians led 13-8 after the third-game interval, but pressure from the China pair and windy conditions on court allowed their opponents to close in in the final points. Fajar said mutual trust was the key to reaching another final, their second in as many weeks after the Japan Open 2026. Fikri said Liang/Wang were far more persistent than in their last meeting at the Singapore Open because they were playing in front of their home crowd. The win also gives Fajar/Fikri a chance to defend their China Open title when they face Seo Seung-jae/Kim Won-ho in the final on Sunday.