The 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris has already delivered a defining week for Indian badminton.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty former world No.1 men’s doubles have ensured India’s medal streak at the Worlds continues for a 14th consecutive edition. But the job is far from done. Their semifinal clash against China’s emerging duo Chen Boyang and Liu Yi is not just another match; it is a battle that will decide whether India’s star pair can finally return to a World Championships final after four years.
The Chinese system has a habit of producing pairs who appear on the circuit seemingly overnight and immediately start troubling the world’s best. Chen Boyang and Liu Yi fit that mold perfectly.
- They rose into the world’s top 15 after winning the Thailand Open 2024 (Super 500).
- They backed it up with a semifinal finish at the Singapore Open 2024, beating Japan’s Hoki/Kobayashi en route.
- At this World Championships, they are the 11th seed and are yet to lose a game, in the second round won against Kral/Kral from Czech Republic 21-7, 21-19 while in third round defeated Danish pair Kjaer/Sogaard 21-17, 22-20.
- In the Quarterfinal they defeated Chinese Taipei pair of Lee-Yang 21-15, 21-14
Their style reflects the classic Chinese men’s doubles archetype: fast, flat, and aggressive exchanges, relentless in transition, with both players capable of switching roles seamlessly. Chen brings explosive backcourt firepower, while Liu is sharp at the net, making them a balanced and dangerous partnership. For Satwik and Chirag, who have had mixed fortunes against emerging pairs, this semifinal is a serious tactical test.
The Indians’ Road to the Semifinal
Satwik and Chirag’s journey in Paris has been symbolic.
- Second Round: They opened with a comfortable win over Chinese Taipei Liu- Yang 22-20, 21-13
- Round of 16: They overcame Seed sixth Liang & Wang in three game thriller 19-21, 21-15, 21-17
- Quarterfinal: The big one a straight-games victory over Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik (21–12, 21–19). This was a match loaded with emotional baggage. The Malaysians had ended their Paris Olympic campaign in 2024 at the same stage and same venue. With an 11–3 losing record in the head-to-head, Satwik/Chirag turned the tables emphatically to book their semifinal spot.
If the quarterfinal was about exorcising demons, the semifinal will be about converting momentum into history.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Satwik/Chirag and Chen/Liu at the World Championships. The Indians are ranked World No.9 , while the Chinese pair entered the tournament ranked No.11.
- Satwik/Chirag vs Chinese Pairs (2023–2025):
- 2–2 vs Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang (lost in 2024 Malaysia Open Final, won in 2023 Indonesia Open QF).
- 1–0 vs Ren Xiangyu/Tan Qiang.
- No meetings yet with Chen/Liu.
This means the Indians will step into unknown territory tactically. Unlike Chia/Soh, who they know inside out, Chen/Liu bring unpredictability. Interestingly the Men Doubles has pairs from four different countries
For India:
- A win would put Satwik/Chirag into their first ever World Championships final.
- It would give India a chance at its first-ever men’s doubles gold at the Worlds.
- It continues the narrative of Indian doubles as a world force, not a one-off story.
For Chen/Liu:
- A place in the final would mark the breakthrough of a new Chinese pair in a discipline currently dominated by Wang/Chang.
- It would strengthen China’s depth in doubles and reinforce their strategy of constantly reshuffling pairs until a world-beating unit emerges.
Tactical Keys
- Net Control Chirag’s Role : Against Chinese pairs, who thrive on flat exchanges, the net is decisive. If Chirag can cut off drives early and push Liu onto the backfoot, the Indians will break the rhythm.
- Satwik’s Backcourt Firepower : Satwik remains one of the hardest hitters in world badminton. His ability to break through Chen’s defense with steep smashes will decide whether rallies end quickly or extend into attritional battles.
- Defensive Solidity : Under Tan Kim Her, the Indians have improved their defensive patience. This will be tested against a pair who like to rain down fast attacks. Trusting their block defense and waiting for counterattack chances will be vital.
- Composure in Tight Moments : The second game of the quarterfinal against Chia/Soh nearly slipped away when nerves crept in. The Chinese pair are equally adept at closing gaps. India must avoid lapses after reaching 17 or 18 points.
The Psychological Angle
For Satwik and Chirag, this match is as much about mindset as it is about tactics. They have lived a year of “nearly there” multiple semifinals, but no titles in 2024. Breaking that cycle at the World Championships would be the perfect answer to critics. Their quarterfinal win proved they can do it against rivals who once haunted them. The semifinal is the next frontier: proving they can beat dangerous newcomers too. Chen and Liu, on the other hand, play with nothing to lose. Already assured of a first World Championships medal, they will swing freely, hoping to replicate China’s history of producing surprise champions.
This semifinal isn’t just about one medal. It represents badminton’s shifting balance. For India, Satwik and Chirag’s rise has placed the country in conversations once reserved for Indonesia, China, and Denmark, while for China, grooming Chen/Liu is part of their long-term strategy to ensure doubles supremacy even as Wang/Chang lead the pack.
The clash is a meeting of established excellence and hungry ambition. As the lights come on in Paris for the men’s doubles semifinal, anticipation runs high. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty carry not just their own hopes, but the weight of a nation yearning for its first men’s doubles world title.
Across the net stand Chen Boyang and Liu Yi, fearless, fast, and eager to announce themselves on the world stage. One side brings experience, scars, and the hunger for vindication. The other brings unpredictability, youthful ambition, and the energy of a rapid rise. Whatever the outcome, fans can expect a contest of intensity, tactics, and nerve. For Satwik and Chirag, it is the chance to rewrite a season’s narrative. For Chen and Liu, it is the chance to accelerate their ascent.
A World Championships semifinal rarely comes bigger than this.
