Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s run at the 2025 Malaysia Open ended in the semi-finals after a loss to South Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae. The seventh-seeded pair lost 21-10, 21-15 in 40 minutes, concluding India’s campaign in the tournament. Despite the result, they reflected positively on their performance, preparing for the next challenge at the India Open in New Delhi.
The campaign of Indian shuttlers Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy in the 2025 Malaysia Open badminton tournament concluded with a semi-final defeat in the men’s doubles event held in Kuala Lumpur. The seventh-seeded duo faced Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea, falling 21-10, 21-15 in a 40-minute contest. With this loss, India’s participation in the BWF Super 1000 tournament came to an end.
Satwik expressed, “They played well. We prepared for them, but they did not give away easy points, forcing us to work hard for every point. Disappointed but it was a good tournament for us.” The Indian pair began poorly, trailing 11-6 early in the match, and lost the first game in just 19 minutes. However, they rallied briefly in the second game, leading 11-8 at the mid-game break but were unable to maintain their advantage.
Chirag remarked, “We started to be a little calmer in the second game but credit to them. Maybe we gave away a few easy points.” The Korean opponents, both accomplished players—Kim a mixed doubles silver medallist from the Paris 2024 Olympics and Seo a reigning world champion—demonstrated their skills throughout the contest. Previously, Satwik and Chirag had reached the final of the 2024 Malaysia Open.
Meanwhile, fellow Indian participants, including Paris 2024 Olympians Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy, were eliminated in earlier rounds, while two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu opted out of the tournament. The Indian badminton team is scheduled to compete next at the India Open in New Delhi, starting on Tuesday.
The Malaysia Open is a prominent tournament within the Badminton World Federation (BWF) calendar, classified as a Super 1000 event, attracting elite international players. The 2025 edition was crucial for Indian badminton, featuring notable athletes including Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who have previously shown remarkable performances. This tournament provided an opportunity for Indian shuttlers to gain critical ranking points and experience ahead of the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Previous editions witnessed Indian players achieving significant milestones, contributing to the nation’s growing stature in the badminton arena.
In conclusion, the journey of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy at the 2025 Malaysia Open ultimately ended in the semi-finals, demonstrating both resilience and the challenges faced against formidable opponents. Their commendable performance throughout the tournament indicated potential for future successes. Additionally, the absence of other top competitors such as PV Sindhu further highlighted the tournament’s competitive landscape. The Indian badminton team looks forward to the upcoming India Open, aiming for better results on home soil.
Original Source: olympics.com
