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Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are the only Indian shuttlers left in the China Open 2025 with a straight games win in Changzhou on July 25. The duo reached the men’s doubles semi-finals of the tournament after their straight games win against Malaysia’s Y.S. Ong and E.Y. Teo in the quarter-final game, held in Changzhou. Appearing against their Malaysian competitors for the 10th time, both India players looked aggressive and recorded 21-18, 21-14 in just 40 minutes. With this success, they tasted their seventh win after 10 outings. The duo of Chirag and Satwiksairaj outclassed the Malaysian pair in the opening game.
In the second game, both Malaysians gave a tough competition to Shetty and Satwikasairaj with the Indian pair leading with a close figures of 15-14. Eventually, both Indian shuttlers held their nerves and emerged triumphant convincingly by 21-14 figures. Their extraordinary performance has helped Chirag and Rankireddy to register their fourth semi-final appearance this season. Earlier, the world number 12 broke into the Malaysia Open, India Open and Singapore Open. In the semi-final game, set to be played on July 26, they will be tasked to take on another Malaysian pair A. Chia and W.Y. Soh. The duo will look to be at their best in the semi to break into the first final after their win in Thailand Open in May 2024.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy reveals how he and Chirag got the better of the Malaysian duo
Following the victory, Rankireddy said how he and Chirag Shetty countered the rapid attack from Y.S. Ong and E.Y. Teo to win the match. “We have played them quite a few times and in similar court conditions. In the first game, it was very fast so we needed to react quickly and get to the attack as much as possible no matter what,” he said.
Satwiksairaj also highlighted how they exhibited discipline in the second game to take the contest far away from Y.S. Ong and E.Y. Teoto. “In the second game, we knew they wouldn’t be able to survive as it (shuttle) was going out. We just focused on the front and were ready since they are very creative at the net. We didn’t want to give them a chance. We just kept on attacking their serves,” said Satwiksairaj. Talking about their upcoming challenge against A. Chia and W.Y. Soh, the Indian players have a 3-10 overall record.
