[Yonex French Open 2026] Menang Rubber Game, Alwi Melaju – PB DJARUM

Alwi Farhan’s Grueling Three-Game Victory

Alwi Farhan secured a hard-fought three-game victory over Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun Yi at the Yonex French Open 2026, advancing to the second round with a 21-16, 13-21, 21-18 scoreline. The 10th-ranked Indonesian player improved his head-to-head record against Lin to 2-1. Lin, currently 12th in the BWF rankings, posed a formidable challenge, with Alwi acknowledging the pressure in the deciding game. “Alhamdulillah bisa menang karena jujur pressure banget di poin-poin terakhir gim ketiga,” Alwi said, citing the intensity of Lin’s smashes and his own need to adapt.

The match, which lasted 68 minutes, saw Alwi fight back in the third game. With Lin closing the gap to 18-19, Alwi’s resilience prevailed as he capitalized on his opponent’s errors to seal the win. “Saya merasa ada sedikit keberuntungan tapi itu juga didapat karena saya mencoba dan saya terus berjuang apapun kondisinya,” Alwi said, emphasizing his determination. The victory marks Alwi’s second straight win against Lin after two previous encounters, with the Indonesian highlighting the challenge of adapting to Lin’s powerful smashes.

Indonesia's Mixed Results in French Open 2026

The Yonex French Open 2026, a BWF World Tour Super 750 event held at the Grand Paris Arena, saw Indonesia’s badminton contingent face mixed fortunes. While Alwi advanced, other players like Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri suffered early exits. The ganda putra pair fell to Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang Chieh/Wang Chi-Lin in straight games (24-26, 13-21), with Fajar noting the difficulty of adjusting to the venue’s slower ball conditions after back-to-back tournaments. “Di Denmark, bolanya kencang tapi di sini agak lambat,” Fajar explained, highlighting the challenges of consecutive events.

Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (China/2), who had been defeated by Fajar/Fikri in the semifinals of the French Open, were ousted by Chen Zhi Ray/Lin Yu Chieh (Taiwan) 16-21, 15-21. This result demonstrates the competitive nature of the tournament, where even top-ranked pairs face unexpected challenges.

Third Game Comeback and Lingering Pressure

Alwi’s path to the second round was anything but straightforward. The 21-year-old from Indonesia trailed early in the third game, with Lin narrowing the gap to 18-19. However, Alwi’s resilience prevailed, as he capitalized on Lin’s errors to close out the match. “Saya merasa ada sedikit keberuntungan tapi itu juga didapat karena saya mencoba dan saya terus berjuang apapun kondisinya,” Alwi said, emphasizing his determination. The win sets up a challenging second-round clash against Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus, a 27th-ranked player with whom Alwi has split their previous four encounters 2-2.

In the third game, Alwi took control early, leading 3-1 before extending his advantage to 6-1 and 9-3. He maintained dominance throughout, with Lin struggling to find gaps in his defense. After a mid-game break, Alwi continued to pressure Lin, who managed to close the score to 19-18. However, two errors from Lin allowed Alwi to regain control, securing the 21-18 victory in the third game.

Indonesian Contingent Navigates Early Hurdles

Other Indonesian players also advanced, including Moh Zaki Ubaidillah, who defeated fellow countryman Jonatan Christie in a three-game thriller (16-21, 21-17, 21-17). Ubaidillah, 19, hailed the victory as a “pengalaman yang berharga,” noting his improved tempo and adaptability. His next opponent, Japan’s Koki Watanabe, will test his consistency after a recent loss to the Japanese player in the 2026 Asia Championships. Meanwhile, doubles pairs like Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin and Rachel Alessya Rose/Febi Setianingrum also secured spots in the second round, showcasing Indonesia’s depth in the tournament.

Putri Ariyanti and Raymond Fidasari/Nikolaus Surya Akbar advanced from the first round, joining Alwi and Ubaidillah in the second round. The Indonesian contingent now includes eight players, with Fajar/Fikri’s early exit highlighting the tournament’s unpredictability.

Alwi’s Next Challenge and Tournament Momentum

As the competition progresses, Alwi’s performance highlights the physical and mental demands of elite badminton. The Yonex French Open 2026, a stop on the BWF World Tour, continues to attract top-tier players, with the second round set for October 22. For Alwi, the challenge now shifts to Ng Ka Long Angus, a 27th-ranked player. “Saya harus siap lebih capek,” Alwi said, signaling his readiness for the next hurdle. With eight Indonesian players in the second round, the nation’s hopes rest on their ability to maintain momentum in a tournament known for its high stakes and unpredictable outcomes.

Meanwhile, Ubaidillah's victory over Jojo demonstrates the competitive nature of the tournament. Ubed’s win was described as a “moment pembelajaran krusial” by the player, who acknowledged the importance of consistency in professional badminton. The French Open’s second round promises further drama as Indonesia’s athletes strive to advance against top-ranked opponents.

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