Satwik-Chirag Storm into China Open Semis with Flawless Win over Malaysia

Image Source: The Indian Express

India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, cruised into the semifinals of the China Open Super 1000 tournament in Changzhou with a commanding straight-games victory over Malaysia’s Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi. The win marks their fourth semifinal appearance of the season and signals a strong comeback after a challenging few months.

Match Highlights

- The Indian duo won 21-18, 21-14 in just 40 minutes at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium

- After a tight first game, they broke away at 10-8 with sharp cross-court smashes

- In the second game, they pulled ahead from 15-14 with six consecutive points to seal the match

- Their head-to-head record against the Malaysian pair now stands at 7-3

Season Context

- This is their fourth semifinal of 2025, following strong runs at the India, Singapore, and Malaysia Opens

- The pair is on the verge of re-entering the world’s top 10 rankings

- They now face world No. 2 Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who defeated them at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Player Insights

- Satwik credited their aggressive front-court play and mental focus during serve situations

- Chirag emphasized their improved court chemistry and resilience after recent setbacks

- The duo’s game has matured under coach Tan Kim Her, with a more balanced mix of attack and control

Sources: Indian Express, Hindustan Times, India Today, Sportstar, Daily Excelsior, Olympics.com, MSN India