Satwik-Chirag Finish Runner-Up Again as Korean Duo Clinch China Masters Title

India’s premier men’s doubles duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, fell short in the final hurdle once again, finishing runners-up at the China Masters Super 750 tournament in Shenzhen on Sunday. The eighth-seeded Indian pair lost in straight games to the formidable Korean world No. 1 duo, Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, with the scoreline reading 21-19, 21-15 in just 45 minutes.

This marks the second consecutive final loss for Satwik and Chirag, who had also finished second at the Hong Kong Open last week. Despite showing glimpses of brilliance in both tournaments, the two-time World Championships bronze medallists continue their wait for a title, having last won at the Thailand Open in May 2023.

In the opening game, the Indian duo made a strong start, stringing together an impressive eight-point run to take a commanding 14-7 lead. However, the Korean pair, known for their sharp anticipation and seamless coordination, turned the tables quickly. Kim and Seo reeled off six points in a row, erasing the deficit and shifting momentum in their favour. With pressure mounting, Satwik and Chirag were unable to hold off the top seeds, who sealed the first game 21-19.

The second game saw a more balanced contest early on, with the scores locked at 11-11 at the mid-game interval. But Kim and Seo stepped up at the crucial moment, winning four consecutive points to break away. From there, they maintained control and eventually clinched the title with a 21-15 finish, affirming their dominance on the world stage.

Elsewhere in Shenzhen, Korea’s Olympic champion An Se-young defended her women’s singles crown in emphatic fashion. The 23-year-old top seed crushed third seed and local favourite Han Yue 21-11, 21-3 in just 33 minutes, highlighting her position as the sport’s leading female shuttler.

In the men’s singles final, China’s Weng Hongyang delivered a strong performance for the home crowd, defeating Lin Chun-yi of Chinese Taipei 21-11, 21-15.

As for Satwik and Chirag, the back-to-back final appearances do highlight a return to consistent form, but the search for a title continues. With the season drawing closer to its climax, the Indian pair will look to regroup and find the finishing touch that has eluded them in recent weeks.