Satwik-Chirag exit Malaysia Open semis

Kuala Lumpur

India's top men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were defeated in the semifinals of the Malaysia Open BWF World Tour Super 1000 event on Saturday, ending India's campaign in the tournament. The Indian duo lost in straight games to South Korea's Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, 10-21, 15-21, in just 40 minutes.

The match began with a slow start for Satwik and Chirag, who trailed 6-11 in the first game. The South Korean pair took full advantage, claiming the first game 21-10. In the second game, Satwik and Chirag bounced back, leading 11-8 midway. However, their lead was short-lived as they lost the game 15-21, bringing an end to their three-match winning streak in the competition.

The pair had previously defeated Malaysia’s Yew Sin Ong and Ee Yi Teo in the quarterfinals, securing a 26-24, 21-15 win. After the semifinal loss, Chirag Shetty expressed disappointment but acknowledged that the defeat was part of the learning process. He credited the South Korean pair for their strong performance, reflecting on areas where they could have stuck to their game plan.

Earlier, other Indian players including Lakshya Sen, H.S. Prannoy, and Priyanshu Rajawat were eliminated in the early rounds. Satwik and Chirag will next compete in the India Open, starting January 14, where they will face Malaysia’s Wei Chong Man and Kai Wun Tee in the round of 32.