The China Masters 2025 came to a close with another high-quality display of men’s doubles badminton, and India’s top pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty once again found themselves in the thick of the action.
The Indian duo, who have been the flagbearers of Indian badminton on the world stage, fought valiantly but went down to the reigning World Champions, South Korea’s Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho, in the final on Sunday. The Koreans, currently World No. 1, proved why they are the benchmark in men’s doubles badminton with a straight-games victory, 21-19, 21-15. The contest lasted 45 minutes and was packed with intensity, momentum swings, and moments that showcased both pairs at their best. While the scoreboard shows a straight-games win, the battle on court was anything but straightforward.
The Road to the Finals
Satwik and Chirag’s run in Shenzhen was filled with confidence-boosting wins. They began their campaign by brushing aside Malaysia’s Arif/Yap in the Round of 32, prevailing 24-22, 21-13. In the Round of 16, they made quick work of Chinese Taipei’s Chiu/Wang, recording a dominant 21-13, 21-12 victory.
The quarterfinals brought them face-to-face with China’s Ren Xiangyu and Xie Haonan. The Indians maintained their composure and delivered another polished performance, taking the match 21-14, 21-14. Their semifinal was arguably their best match of the week as they faced Malaysia’s World No. 2 pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. Against the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallists, Satwik and Chirag produced a clinical display, winning 21-17, 21-14 to book their spot in the final.
This impressive run underscored the consistency and confidence the Indian pair have built over the past season.
In the title clash, Satwik and Chirag knew they were up against the most complete men’s doubles pair in the world right now. Seo and Kim came into the final with momentum, having recently secured the World Championship crown. The first game was a nail-biter. Satwik and Chirag began strongly, using their power and quick exchanges to gain the upper hand. They held a 14-7 lead at one stage and seemed in control. But that is where Seo’s brilliance turned the tide. The Korean was everywhere on court covering smashes, intercepting drives, and creating attacking angles. Alongside Kim’s steadiness, the Koreans clawed back point by point to eventually snatch the game 21-19.
The second game saw Seo and Kim tighten their grip. While Satwik and Chirag continued to fight, the missed opportunities from the first game seemed to weigh on them. The Koreans maintained constant pressure, forcing errors and keeping rallies alive. Satwik and Chirag stayed close in the early exchanges but eventually slipped behind, conceding the second game 21-15.
What Went Wrong and What Went Right
For the Indians, the biggest takeaway from the final was the growth in their defensive resilience. Over the past few months, Satwik and Chirag have worked on holding rallies longer and not relying solely on brute force. This was evident against both Chia/Soh and Seo/Kim, where they absorbed pressure and countered effectively.
However, the inability to close out the first game from a commanding position at 14-7 was the turning point. Against a pair as experienced and composed as Seo and Kim, letting them back into the game proved costly. The non-conversion of that lead reflected both a lapse in focus and the relentless quality of the Koreans.
Still, Satwik and Chirag’s performance against the world’s best showed that they remain very much in the conversation for the top titles.
The silver medal in Shenzhen marks Satwik and Chirag’s second runner-up finish at the China Masters and continues their consistent run of form. This was also their second straight podium finish in recent weeks, reinforcing their place among the elite in men’s doubles badminton. Their performances are set to propel them back into the world’s Top 5 when the rankings are updated next week. For a pair that has often struggled with injuries and the physical demands of the tour in previous years, this resurgence is a strong indicator of their preparation and intent for the upcoming major events, including the Denmark and French Opens later this season.
Seo and Kim: The Standard Setters
On the other side, Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho continue to assert their dominance. With yet another title in 2025, the Koreans have established themselves as the pair to beat. Seo, in particular, has been the standout performer covering court space as though he were two players combined, dictating pace, and lifting his partner’s game. Their synergy and tactical clarity underline why they are expected to remain at the top of world badminton for the foreseeable future.
For Satwik and Chirag, the loss will sting, particularly the first game where they let a golden opportunity slip. Yet, in defeat, there were enough signs to suggest progress. Their defense is sharper, their shot selection is more patient, and their ability to string together wins against top opponents is improving.
With Seo and Kim skipping the Finland Open and Satwik/Chirag skipping the Korea Open, the badminton calendar may soon throw up another rematch at the Denmark Open. If that happens, it will be another chance for the Indians to test themselves against the world champions this time with lessons learned from Shenzhen. For now, Satwik and Chirag return home with silver medals, back-to-back podium finishes, and the knowledge that they remain on the right track.
The China Masters 2025 final was another reminder of how narrow the margins are at the very top, and how close the Indian duo are to turning those silvers into golds.
