Jafar/Felisha Stage Dramatic Comeback to Defeat 6th-Seeded Malaysians at China Open

According to Bolasport.com, Indonesia’s mixed doubles pair Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu pulled off a dramatic victory in the first round of the 2025 China Open, stunning the 6th-seeded Malaysian duo Goh Soon Huat/Lai Shevon Jemie.

Competing at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium in Changzhou, the young Indonesian pair delivered an exceptional performance, coming back from the brink of defeat to win in three thrilling games: 18-21, 24-22, 21-15.

The opening game was tightly contested early on, tied at 3-3, before the Malaysian pair pulled ahead 4-9, capitalizing on a few unforced errors from Jafar — including a netted return. Goh/Lai maintained their lead and closed out the first game 21-18.

In the second game, Jafar/Felisha again trailed at 9-13 and 10-14, but they slowly regained rhythm and fighting spirit. Their persistence paid off as they narrowed the gap to 12-14, eventually leveling the score and clinching a dramatic 24-22 victory to force a decider.

Riding the momentum into the third game, the Indonesian duo displayed solid defense and quick counterattacks. They took control of the rally pace and secured the final game with a confident 21-15, booking their spot in the next round.

This victory marks a promising breakthrough for the young Indonesian pair at this Super 1000 level tournament, especially considering the caliber of opponents they defeated — one of Malaysia’s most experienced mixed doubles teams.