Indonesia Falters as Jojo Falls in Thomas Cup Group D

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s bid to take control of Group D in the 2026 Thomas Cup suffered a setback on Sunday, April 26, 2026, after Jonatan Christie (Jojo) fell short in the opening singles match against Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn.

Playing at Horsens Forum in Denmark, Jojo lost in a tense three-game battle, 16-21, 22-20, 20-22, giving Thailand the early advantage.

Jojo struggled to find his rhythm in the first game, allowing Vitidsarn to take the initiative. Despite rallying with eight consecutive points to briefly seize the lead, he could not sustain the momentum and conceded the opener.

In the second game, Jojo adjusted his strategy, showing patience and discipline to build a five-point cushion. Even when trailing 19-20, he held his nerve to snatch the set 22-20 and force a decider.

The final game saw Jojo once again in control, leading 9-5 and reaching match point at 20-17. But Vitidsarn responded with composure, reeling off five unanswered points to clinch the victory and secure Thailand’s first point.

The defeat leaves Indonesia trailing 0-1 in the tie, with pressure mounting on the remaining players. Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani are set to contest the first doubles match, followed by Alwi Farhan in the second singles.

Team captain Fajar Alfian will pair with Nikolaus Joaquin in the second doubles, while Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah is scheduled to make his Thomas Cup debut in the third singles.

With four matches still to play, Indonesia retains a chance to recover, but the team must regroup quickly to avoid falling further behind in the group stage. ***