Alwi Farhan Breaks Losing Streak Against Lanier with Japan Open 2026 Comeback

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian badminton rising star Alwi Farhan showcased resilience and determination at the Japan Open 2026, overturning a poor start to defeat France’s Alex Lanier in the round of 16.

The 21‑year‑old battled through three games, winning 9‑21, 21‑14, 21‑16 in Tokyo on Thursday, July 16, 2026, to secure his place in the quarterfinals of the BWF Super 750 tournament.

The victory carried extra weight for Alwi, who had lost his last three encounters against Lanier. Determined to break the streak, he prepared specifically for this match once the draw was announced.

“Since the draw came out, I anticipated and prepared well for this meeting. It’s an important win because in the last few encounters I always lost, and people started to underestimate me. But I proved I could bounce back strongly,” Alwi said, as quoted by Antara.

The match began shakily for the Australian Open 2026 champion, whose errors cost him the opening game. He dismissed suggestions that he deliberately used the first game to study his opponent’s style, admitting instead that his own mistakes disrupted his rhythm.

“Reading his game first in the opening? No, it wasn’t like that. My play simply didn’t come out. Several shots went out and it frustrated me. But thank God I was able to refocus in the second and third games, reset my play, and forget what happened earlier,” he explained.

Alwi’s composure in the following games proved decisive. By tightening his discipline and staying calm under pressure, he turned the match around and closed out the victory.

“I didn’t want to repeat the mistakes from previous meetings. I used to leave the court with my head down, but today I made sure that whatever the result, I would walk off with my head held high. There’s nothing I regret,” he said after the match.

The win narrows Alwi’s head‑to‑head record against Lanier to 3‑4, ending a run of three consecutive defeats. For the young Indonesian, it was not just about advancing to the next round but also about proving his ability to rise after setbacks.

“Alhamdulillah, praise be to Allah SWT. I can stand tall and win. All of this is by His grace and mercy,” Alwi concluded. ***