India’s Campaign at Malaysia Open 2025 Ends with Semi-Final Loss

In the Malaysia Open 2025, Indian duo Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were eliminated in the men’s doubles semi-finals by Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae. The match concluded with scores of 21-10, 21-15, ending India’s campaign in the tournament. Despite the loss, the players expressed pride in their performance and acknowledged their opponents’ skill.

In the Malaysia Open 2025 badminton tournament, the duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, representing India, faced a disappointing end to their campaign as they were eliminated in the men’s doubles semi-finals. The seventh-seeded pair succumbed to a formidable challenge from Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, losing in two sets with scores of 21-10 and 21-15, in a match that lasted 40 minutes. With this defeat, all Indian participants were ousted from the competition.

Reflecting on the match, Satwik noted, “They played well… They didn’t give away any easy points and made us work hard for every point.” He expressed a sense of disappointment yet acknowledged the overall positive experience throughout the tournament. Despite starting the match on the back foot, trailing early on, the Indian players managed to lead in the second game momentarily before ultimately falling short against their unseeded opponents.

Chirag emphasized the importance of their execution, stating, “Maybe we gave away a few easy points.” Both players showed commendable sportsmanship, recognizing the skill of their opponents. Their rivals boast impressive credentials, with Kim Won-ho being a mixed doubles silver medallist from the Paris 2024 Olympics and Seo Seung-jae holding the title of reigning world champion in both men’s and mixed doubles.

The duo had previously finished as runners-up in the previous edition of the Malaysia Open, which emphasizes the high expectations they had for this year’s tournament. Compounding the disappointment, fellow Indian Olympians including Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy were also eliminated in earlier rounds. Notably, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu chose not to participate in this tournament. Looking ahead, Indian shuttle players are set to compete in the upcoming India Open in New Delhi, commencing on Tuesday.

The Malaysia Open is a prominent badminton tournament that is part of the BWF Super 1000 series, attracting top players from around the world. The tournament provides an important platform for shuttlers to earn ranking points and showcase their skills. The Indian men’s doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have been rising stars in badminton, previously attaining the runner-up position in the Malaysia Open. Their recent performance reflects the competitive nature of international badminton, especially against seasoned players like Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae.

The elimination of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy in the semi-finals underscores the highly competitive landscape of the Malaysia Open 2025. Their performance, along with that of fellow Indian players, highlights the challenges faced in the tournament. Despite the disappointment, the pair expressed satisfaction with their overall play, indicating growth and potential for future competitions. The Indian badminton team will look to recover and excel in the upcoming India Open.

Original Source: olympics.com