ALFIAN/FIKRI will challenge KIM/SEO

The Korean players quickly took the upper hand. Still tired from their marathon match the day before (25/23 in the third set) against GOH Sze Fei / Nur IZZUDDIN (No. 4, Malaysia), ASTRUP and RASMUSSEN failed to get into the game and suffered at the hands of the reigning World Champions. KIM/SEO won the first set comfortably (21/9).  

The second set was much more closely contested. There were some spectacular rallies and the players put on a show. They gave it their all: defending on the ground, diving, hitting the sideboards... and even the wood! The rallies continued, and even though the Koreans were leading, the Danes did not give up. Lacking a little success in their attacks, they were only 8/11 down at the break, which left them with hope of still qualifying. Taking advantage of a moment of relaxation by the Koreans, the Danish pair finally managed to take the lead and, through sheer determination, won the second set (21-19).  

But in the third set, physical fitness is crucial. Out of breath after their feat in the second set, the Danes are unable to keep up the pace. The Koreans, already formidable in defence, begin to attack relentlessly until they break the Viking duo. 11-6 at the break for the World Champions. The Danes could no longer keep up and literally collapsed on the court. KIM/SEO won this first semi-final 21-9, 19-21, 21-9 and will try tomorrow to win the Yonex IFB for the first time in their career together (SEO Seung Jae was already a finalist in the mixed doubles at the last edition with CHAE Yu Jung).  

From the start of the match, Indonesians Fajar ALFIAN and Muhammad Shohibul FIKRI (No. 7) put pressure on their opponents, 2022 World Champions and bronze medallists at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aaron CHIA and SOH Wooi Yik (No. 2, Malaysia). They controlled the game and dictated the pace of the rallies. Despite a few minor errors at times, the Indonesian pair seemed to be in command. They led 11-7 at the break and, even though the Malaysians showed a slight resurgence of energy at the end of the set, it was the Indonesians who took the first set 21-14.  

But CHIA/SOH are not Olympic bronze medallists for nothing. They are quick to understand and know how to change their game. They decided to catch the Indonesians in their own trap by playing counter-attacks against their opponents' attacks and finally managed to even the score in the second set, tying at 11-11. The score remained close throughout the end of the set. The Indonesians managed to take a one or two-point lead, but the Malaysians managed to catch up each time, notably at 19/19.  

But ALFIAN and FIKRI were hungry for the final! Already finalists last week at the Denmark Open, the Indonesian pair managed to repeat the feat by winning 21-14, 21-19.