Fajar and Fikri Upset World No. 1 Pair to Win Japan Open
Jakarta. Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri defeated the world's top-ranked men's doubles pair, Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea, in straight games on Sunday to win the Japan Open title in Tokyo.
The Indonesians prevailed 21-19, 21-17 after producing a composed performance to counter the Koreans' aggressive style of play.
The second game remained evenly contested until the score was tied at 17-17, before Fajar and Fikri won four consecutive points to seal the championship.
It was the pair's first title of 2026, improving on their runner-up finish at the Singapore Open, which had been their best result of the season.
The victory also marked a strong rebound for Fajar, currently ranked world No. 5 in men's doubles, after he suffered a first-round exit at the Indonesia Open earlier this year.
Elsewhere, France's Christo Popov upset Japan's Koki Watanabe 21-11, 21-19 to win the men's singles title.
South Korea's Kim So-yeong and Kong Hee-yong captured the women's doubles crown by defeating China's Zhang Shu Xian and Jia Yi Fan 14-21, 21-15, 30-29 in a thrilling three-game final, avenging their defeat to the same opponents in the 2025 China Masters final.
In women's singles, India's PV Sindhu upset home favorite Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 to claim the title.
China's Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping completed the tournament by winning the mixed doubles title with a 21-14, 14-21, 21-15 victory over Hong Kong's Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet.
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