Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani crashed Malaysia’s party at the KAPAL API Indonesia Open 2025, denting what had been a near-perfect quarterfinals day for the visitors.

The home pair tripped world No.1 duo Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin at the death, leaving the Malaysians with three instead of four pairs in the semifinals across three categories.

Of these, Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun’s semifinal entry was particularly impressive, as the upcoming Malaysians executed a tactically astute game against 2023 champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty to beat them for the first time in five matches.

In difficult conditions, the Malaysia Masters champions confined the engagement to flat exchanges and were composed even when the Indians drew close. In a match of push and parry and few phases of open play, Man and Tee’s sharpness was rewarded with their fourth semifinal of the season.

“We had to focus on our gameplan, because their play is better than ours,” said Man. “We couldn’t lift because of the wind so we had to focus on our flat game.”

Shetty credited the Malaysians with converting all their chances.

“We played well in patches but never really got a lead,” he said. “We should’ve had a lead at some point. But it was always neck-and-neck. We came back in the second game but we were always catching up. Malaysians have always been good at the flat game. The shuttles were fast and we didn’t adjust as well but credit to them.”

Malaysia started the day well, with Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei beating Jesper Toft/Amalie Magelund to make their third semifinal of the season. And while they did suffer a reverse, with Goh Soon Huat/Lai Shevon Jemie falling to Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran, the rest of the day’s proceedings were seemingly going their way.

Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan, expected to have difficulty against Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi, blew past the Japanese 21-6 in the opening game before taking the second 21-18.

“Happy with today’s play,” said Tan. “It wasn’t only about confidence but communication and staying calm, so we hope we can always remember this.”

→ Results (Quarterfinals)

WHAT OTHERS SAID

“I was doing the right thing but I couldn’t keep a high level. He’s definitely solid at that moment. I was taking the right decisions but if after one good rally I make two mistakes, it won’t work, and that was key.” – Alex Lanier explains why Kunlavut Vitidsarn is hard to beat

“I must keep learning. I’m world No.1 but my performance is not No.1 yet. I have to try every shot, if it doesn’t work I have to change.” – Vitidsarn on his recipe for success