Indonesian derby at Japan Open 2025: Fajar/Fikri to face Sabar/Reza

The Japan Open 2025 draw — a BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament scheduled for next week — reveals an interesting phenomenon with 10 men’s doubles derby matches in the opening round.

Indonesian representatives are not spared from this situation — the pair of Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri will face their compatriots Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani in the first round.

This match becomes more special as it will mark Fajar/Fikri’s debut at the Japan Open scheduled for July 15-20.

Early-round meetings between representatives from the same country have two different impacts — guaranteeing Indonesian advancement to the next round, but also reducing the chance of having multiple representatives in later phases.