RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - For Indonesian shuttler Bobby Setiabudi, three consecutive tournaments in Southeast Asia--Thailand Open, Malaysia Masters, and Singapore Open 2026--have provided valuable lessons in adapting to the demands of elite competition.

Partnering with Melati Daeva Oktavianti, Bobby’s journey continued at the BWF World Tour Super 750 Singapore Open 2026, where the pair fell in the round of 32 to China’s Gao Jia Xuan/Wei Ya Xin, 21-19, 16-21, 15-21, at Singapore Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, May 27.

“These three tournaments have taught us a lot; it’s not easy to play at the top level," Melati said in a statement released by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), as quoted by Antara.

"I once experienced the same struggle, climbing from the bottom to break through and stay at the top. This is an important process for Bobby, who is still new at this level,” she added.

The duo had earlier competed at the Thailand Open and Malaysia Masters, facing top-tier opponents as part of Bobby’s development. Melati stressed that success at the elite level requires not only technical skill but also consistency, mental resilience, and focus in crucial moments.

Against Gao/Wei, Bobby/Melati took the opening game but faltered in the second after losing two easy points at 14-14, a turning point that shifted momentum.

“We tried everything and had chances to win, but those two points changed the match. If we had been more consistent, the story might have been different,” Melati reflected.

Bobby acknowledged the experience as a steppingstone. “I feel I’ve improved and can match the opponents better now, but there’s still a lot to fix and develop,” said the Situbondo, East Java, player, noting the need to adapt to the pressure and pace of higher-level tournaments.

Before transitioning to mixed doubles with Melati Daeva Oktavianti, the 25-year-old competed in men’s singles. The recent stretch of three Southeast Asia tournaments marked his first real exposure to elite-level competition, offering crucial lessons in consistency, mental resilience, and adapting to the pace of top-tier opponents.

With Melati/Bobby exit, Indonesia was left without representation in the second round of the mixed doubles, following the earlier defeat of Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja to France’s Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue. ***