Indonesian men’s doubles pair, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, had to settle for a runner-up finish at the 2026 Singapore Open. Following a hard-fought battle, the duo is now shifting their focus toward the upcoming Indonesia Open 2026.
Fajar and Fikri missed out on the title after falling to the formidable Indian pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday (May 31, 2026). Despite a strong start, the PBSI Cipayung representatives were forced into a comeback defeat, losing 21-18, 17-21, 16-21.
“First and foremost, we want to thank everyone for their support. We remain grateful despite not winning the title today. We played to our maximum potential, but we must acknowledge that our opponents played exceptionally well,” Fajar stated in an official PBSI release.
Singapore Open 2026 Final Results: Fajar/Fikri Finish as Runners-Up After Defeat to Rankireddy/Shetty
Fajar and Fikri admitted that Rankireddy and Shetty proved to be tough adversaries. They noted that the Indian pair was playing with immense confidence throughout the Singapore Open, especially after eliminating Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho in the semifinals.
“They were very confident and possessed a lethal attack. Several times, we were forced to lift the shuttle, which they immediately capitalized on. They have performed remarkably well in this tournament; their win against Kim/Seo yesterday was also outstanding. Congratulations to Rankireddy and Shetty,” Fajar added.
Despite the setback, Fajar and Fikri refuse to dwell on the result. They are quickly turning their attention to the Indonesia Open 2026, scheduled to take place at the Istora Senayan from June 2 to 7, 2026.
Italian Moto3 2026 Results: Veda Ega Pratama Finishes 8th, Hakim Danish Takes 3rd Place at Mugello Circuit
The duo is determined to bounce back on home soil. They have pledged to give their all to climb back to the top of the podium in front of the local crowd.
“Moving forward, we hope to maintain consistency this year. We have many targets, the closest being the Indonesia Open next week. We want to put on our best performance there, in front of our own supporters at Istora Senayan. We hope to go all out,” Fajar explained.
This runner-up finish marks a recurring trend, with Fajar and Fikri facing persistent labels as “runner-up specialists.” This tournament was their fifth silver-medal finish out of six final appearances.
Previously, Fajar/Fikri reached the finals but settled for second place at the Korea Open 2025, Denmark Open 2025, French Open 2025, and Australia Open 2025. Their only major title win during this period was at the China Open in July 2025.
With this in mind, Fajar and Fikri view the Singapore Open result as a vital learning experience. They are eager to break the runner-up streak and prove their championship mettle in future competitions, starting with the Indonesia Open.
“We are trying to learn from this. Beyond rigorous training, we must sharpen our mentality in high-pressure situations. We need to solve these problems. Having reached five finals only to finish as runners-up each time is something we need to address. We will consult with our coach and support team. Hopefully, we can secure the win next time,” said Fajar.
“We must maintain our mindset, mental strength, and focus to perform well at the Indonesia Open. Proper physical recovery is also essential,” Fikri concluded.
Summary
Indonesian men’s doubles pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri finished as runners-up at the 2026 Singapore Open after losing to India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. Despite winning the first set, the pair ultimately fell 21-18, 17-21, 16-21, marking their fifth silver-medal finish in six final appearances. Fajar acknowledged their opponents’ superior performance and confidence throughout the tournament.
The duo is now focusing on the upcoming Indonesia Open 2026, scheduled to take place at Istora Senayan from June 2 to 7. They are determined to improve their mental resilience and consistency to break their runner-up streak in front of the home crowd. Both players emphasized the importance of physical recovery and tactical adjustments as they prepare to compete for the title on home soil.