Satwik-Chirag Fall to Chia-Soh in China Open Badminton Semi-Final 2025
Despite a strong showing in the quarterfinals, the Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were defeated by Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the semi-final of the China Open Badminton Doubles 2025, losing 13-21, 17-21 on Saturday in Changzhou.
The defeat marks the 14th meeting between the two pairs, with Chia-Soh now leading the head-to-head record 11-3. The world No. 2 Malaysians proved dominant, securing a straight-game victory and advancing to the final.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty had earlier booked their place in the semi-finals with a decisive win over fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi. Reflecting on that quarterfinal match, one of the players stated, “We have played with them quite a few times. Played in January at Malaysia Open. Similar court situations. In first set we thought from this side is very fast so we need to play a little fast no matter what and get attack as much as possible. In second game we knew they can’t play it’s so fast it’s going out. So we just need to focus on the front area and get ready with our racquets. We didn’t want to give them any chance or confidence in the net. So we played aggressive mentally on serves too, even if it was 16-16, 17-16, we felt we are playing the right game and stick to that.”
The Indian pair had also reached the semi-final stages of the Indian Open, Singapore Open, and Malaysia Open earlier this year, but were unable to convert those opportunities into titles. They also reached the quarterfinals of the Indonesian Open and suffered a second-round exit at the Japan Open last week.
Despite this recent setback, Satwik and Chirag continue to be key figures in Indian badminton, demonstrating resilience amidst a broader period of challenges for the sport in the country. Their performance at the China Open, particularly their quarterfinal victory, showcased their ability to captivate audiences and deliver compelling performances on the international stage. The Indians were, according to reports, “back on the verge of entering the Top 10 after a torrid few months,” and were “putting on a show, converting the neutrals.”
The match against Chia-Soh was the final contest of the day at the Super 1000 China Open, drawing a significant crowd who acknowledged the effort and skill displayed by both teams. While the result wasn’t what Indian fans hoped for, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s journey through the tournament underscored their continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of Indian badminton.
