Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy lost in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open 2025 men’s doubles event, ending India’s campaign in the tournament. They were defeated by Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae with a score of 21-10, 21-15. Despite their exit, Satwik noted the quality of their opponents and the positive aspects of their tournament performance. The next competition for Indian players is the India Open.
The Indian badminton duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy concluded their campaign at the Malaysia Open 2025 with an exit in the semi-finals of the men’s doubles event held in Kuala Lumpur. Seeded seventh in the tournament, they were defeated by the unseeded South Korean pair of Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, who emerged victorious with a score of 21-10, 21-15 after a match lasting 40 minutes. With this defeat, India’s representation at the Malaysia Open, a BWF Super 1000 event, came to an end.
Satwik expressed his sentiments on the match, stating, “They played well. We saw them playing well earlier in the tournament as well and we were prepared. But I felt they played really well today… They didn’t give away any easy points and made us work hard for every point.” Despite their disappointment, he acknowledged the overall positive experience of the tournament for the team. Initially lagging at 11-6 in the first game, the Indian players managed to rally in the second game, leading 11-8 at the break, but their efforts were ultimately insufficient to secure a win.
Chirag went on to commend their opponents, adding, “Maybe we gave away a few easy points.” Their opponents, Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, bring formidable credentials, with Kim being a silver medallist in mixed doubles at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Seo holding titles as a reigning world champion in both men’s and mixed doubles. The duo had placed second in the previous edition of the Malaysia Open. In addition to Chirag and Satwik’s exit, fellow Indian Olympians Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy were eliminated earlier in the tournament, and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu opted to skip the event entirely. The Indian badminton players will next compete domestically at the India Open, commencing on Tuesday in New Delhi.
The Malaysia Open is one of the major tournaments within the BWF Super 1000 category, attracting top badminton athletes globally. Competitors vie not only for points that contribute to world rankings but also for the opportunity to win significant titles. The 2025 edition witnessed intense matches, particularly in the men’s doubles category, where Indian shuttlers Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy sought to improve upon their prior year’s performance after reaching the finals. However, their quest for victory ended prematurely.
The journey of Indian shuttlers at the Malaysia Open 2025 concluded in the semi-finals as the duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy faced a challenging defeat against South Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae. Despite showcasing talent and perseverance, the seventh-seeded pair was unable to maintain momentum after an early setback in the match. As they prepare for their next competition, the India Open, hopes remain high for redeeming performances.
Original Source: olympics.com
