99 Tekno – Indonesian men’s doubles pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri had to settle for a runner-up finish at the 2026 Singapore Open. Despite the narrow defeat, the duo is quickly shifting their focus toward the upcoming Indonesia Open 2026.
Fajar and Fikri missed out on the title after falling to India’s rising stars, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday (May 31, 2026). The PBSI Cipayung pair suffered a heartbreaking comeback, losing 21-18, 17-21, 16-21.
Reflecting on the match, Fajar expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support. While acknowledging the disappointment, he gave credit to their opponents, noting, “First of all, we want to thank everyone for their support. We remain grateful despite not winning today. We played at our maximum, but we must admit the opponents played a fantastic game.”
Results of the 2026 Singapore Open Final: Fajar and Fikri Finish as Runners-Up After Loss to Rankireddy and Shetty
Fajar and Fikri openly admitted that Rankireddy and Shetty proved to be formidable opponents, currently riding a wave of high confidence. The Indian pair’s momentum was undeniable, especially after their impressive semifinal victory over South Korea’s Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho.
“They were extremely confident and possessed a lethal attack. We were forced to lift the shuttle too often, which they immediately capitalized on,” Fajar explained. “They have performed exceptionally well throughout this tournament, especially with their remarkable win against Kim and Seo yesterday. We congratulate Rankireddy and Shetty on their performance.”
Determined not to dwell on the loss, the Indonesian pair is already looking ahead to the next challenge: the Indonesia Open 2026, scheduled for June 2-7, 2026, at the iconic Istora Senayan.
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Fajar and Fikri are carrying a mission to bounce back on home soil. They remain resolute in their commitment to go all-out and return to the top of the podium in front of their local supporters.
“After this, we hope to maintain our consistency for the remainder of the year. We have set many targets for this season, and the most immediate one is the Indonesia Open next week,” Fajar said. “We want to showcase our best performance there, in front of our home crowd at Istora Senayan. We hope to go all out.”
The runner-up finish in Singapore has fueled discussions regarding their status as a “runner-up specialist,” as this marks their fifth second-place finish in their last six final appearances. Their previous silver medals include the 2025 Korea Open, Denmark Open, French Open, and Australia Open. Their lone tournament victory during this stretch remains the China Open, clinched in July 2025.
Taking this result in stride, the pair views the Singapore Open as a valuable learning experience. They are determined to shed the runner-up label through hard work and strategic improvements.
“We are trying to learn from this. Beyond rigorous training, we must sharpen our mental toughness in difficult situations. We need to solve this puzzle,” Fajar stated. “Having appeared in five finals but finishing as runner-up every time is tough. We will consult with our coaches and support team, and hopefully, we can secure the title in the next opportunity.”
“We must maintain our mindset, mental state, and focus to perform well at the Indonesia Open. Proper physical recovery will also be 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 a hard-fought three-game loss to India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. Despite the disappointment, the duo acknowledged their opponents’ superior momentum and confident play throughout the tournament. This result marks the pair’s fifth second-place finish in their last six final appearances, highlighting a need for strategic and mental improvements.
Looking ahead, Fajar and Fikri are shifting their focus to the upcoming Indonesia Open 2026, which will take place from June 2-7 at Istora Senayan. They are determined to bounce back on home soil by prioritizing physical recovery and sharpening their mental toughness. The team plans to work closely with their coaches to break their recent streak of runner-up finishes and perform at their best for the local crowd.