Indonesia Pins Hopes on Two Doubles in BAC 2026 Semifinal After Jonatan's Exit

Indonesia keeps hope alive at the Asian Badminton Championships (BAC) 2026 through two representatives advancing to the semifinals. Yet simultaneously, Indonesia must accept the bitter reality of Jonatan Christie's elimination in the Quarter Finals.

Competing at Ningbo Olympic Sports Center, China, on Saturday, the Red and White's hopes now rest on the doubles sector. 

The duo Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in the Men's Doubles and the pair Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti in the Women's Doubles carry the burden of maintaining continental title hopes.

Fajar/Fikri will face the South Korea pair Kang Min-hyuk/Ki Dong-ju, who have been the tournament's dark horse. 

The Korean duo captured attention by ousting seeded players, including world champions Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi of Japan in the second round and Malaysia's Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik in the quarterfinals.

Earlier, Kang/Ki also eliminated Indonesian representatives Raymond Indra/Nikolaus Joaquin in the first round. 

Despite Fajar/Fikri's higher ranking favoring them, their opponents' positive momentum suggests this duel will be tight and pressure-filled.

Meanwhile, a tougher challenge awaits Tiwi/Fadia. They confront top seeds and home favorites Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning, who have dominated undefeated this season and hold defending Champion status.

However, Tiwi/Fadia arrive with soaring confidence after defeating two seeded pairs: South Korea's Baek Ha-na/Lee So-hee in the second round and Japan's Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi in the quarterfinals. 

This match carries revenge undertones after Liu/Tan previously ousted Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari in the early round.

Conversely, Indonesia's men's singles journey halted as Jonatan Christie failed to progress further. The third seed fell to India's Ayush Shetty in straight games 21-23, 17-21.

This loss ensures no Indonesian remains in men's singles. Earlier, another men's singles player, Alwi Farhan, exited in the Round of 16.

Now, hopes rest entirely on the two surviving doubles sectors amidst Asia's elite competition.