Indonesia Secures No Titles at the 2026 China Masters, Focus Shifts to the Asian Games

Indonesia's hope of bringing home a title from the 2026 China Masters has finally been shattered. Sabar Karyaman / Moh Reza Pahlevi, the last remaining Red and White national representatives, ended their run in the quarter-finals after being defeated by Malaysian pair Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub / Tan Wee Kiong at the Shenzhen Arena on Friday.

Sabar and Reza lost the three-game battle with scores of 17-21, 21-16, 19-21. This result confirms Indonesia will leave the 2026 China Masters without any titles, as no other national squad representatives remain active in the tournament.

Seeded sixth, Sabar and Reza fell behind 0-3 early in the first game before gradually finding their match rhythm and closing the gap to 4-5. The Indonesian pair even turned the tide to lead 9-6 after levelling the score at 6-6.

However, Azriyn and Tan refused to let their opponents hold control of the match for long. The Malaysian side responded with aggressive play, stringing five consecutive points to retake the lead at 13-11.

Sabar and Reza ultimately conceded the opening game with a 17-21 scoreline.

Sabar / Reza Fight Back In The Second Game

Sabar and Reza once again fell behind at the start of the second game. This time they responded far quicker, turning the early deficit into a 6-2 lead.

Azriyn and Tan then attempted to shift match momentum by ramping up pressure. The Malaysian pair collected eight straight points to flip the score to a 10-6 lead.

But the Indonesian duo fought back once more, edging ahead 11-10 as play entered the mid-game interval.

After the break, Sabar and Reza found consistent solid form, closing out the second game 21-16 to force a deciding third game.

Third Game Drama Seals Malaysian Victory

The final decider played out in an even tighter contest. Sabar and Reza briefly trailed by two points before levelling the scores at 4-4.

At the interval, the Indonesian pair still held a narrow 11-10 lead in the tightly fought game.

Unfortunately this advantage did not last long, as Azriyn and Tan drew level at 12-12 shortly after play resumed.

Azriyn and Tan reclaimed match momentum and closed out the deciding game 21-19 to secure the win.

With this defeat, Sabar and Reza are eliminated from the 2026 China Masters.

This loss also brings the entire Indonesian contingent's tournament campaign to an end. Sabar and Reza had been the nation's final remaining hope, after beating Danish men's doubles pair Daniel Lundgaard / Mads Vestergaard 21-15, 21-15 in the Round of 16.

They were the only Indonesian representatives to progress past the Round of 16. Ali Faathir Rayhan / Devin Artha Wahyudi, Leo Rolly Carnando / Daniel Marthin, and Jonatan Christie had all been knocked out earlier in the draw.

Indonesia did not field its full strength squad at the 2026 China Masters. Multiple elite players skipped the tournament to focus on preparations for the 2026 Asian Games held in Japan.

Following the conclusion of the China Masters, focus now shifts to the continental multi-sport event. The 2026 Asian Games will commence on 19 September, with Indonesia's badminton team set to compete in both team and individual categories.

A total of seven gold medals will be contested across the badminton discipline. For Indonesia's top players, the Asian Games will be the next stage to chase competitive honours after the national squad's campaign at the 2026 China Masters came to an early end.