India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, Satwik–Chirag opened their 2026 season in emphatic fashion, cruising into the Round of 16 of the PETRONAS Malaysia Open Super 1000 with a straight-games victory over Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan.
The third seeds required just 35 minutes to close out a 21-13, 21-15 win, extending their flawless head-to-head record against the Taipei pair to an imposing 6-0. Playing their first competitive match of the new Olympic cycle, Satwik and Chirag looked sharp from the outset, showing no signs of rust despite the pressure of a Super 1000 opener. From the opening rally, the Indian duo imposed themselves with aggressive flat exchanges, quick interceptions at the net, and a serve-return game that left Lee and Yang constantly scrambling.
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The first game followed a familiar pattern. Satwik’s power from the backcourt combined seamlessly with Chirag’s anticipation and control at the forecourt, allowing India’s No.1 pair to open up an early cushion. Lee and Yang attempted to slow the tempo with defensive lifts and patient rallying, but the Indians were ruthless whenever a loose shuttle was offered. Once Satwik-Chirag moved ahead at the mid-game interval, there was little doubt about the outcome, as they closed out the opener 21-13 without facing sustained resistance.
The second game saw the Taipei pair try to inject urgency, pushing the pace and looking to target Chirag in longer rallies. However, the Indians responded with composure and tactical clarity. Chirag’s sharp net kills and Satwik’s steep smashes ensured the momentum remained firmly with the third seeds. Even when Lee and Yang threatened briefly in the middle phase of the game, Satwik-Chirag shifted gears, stringing together a series of attacking points to seal the contest 21-15.
Beyond the scoreline, what stood out was the clinical nature of the performance. There was no overreach, no unnecessary risks—just disciplined aggression and control, hallmarks of a pair that has matured into one of the most reliable combinations on the BWF World Tour. The win not only secured a comfortable passage into the second round but also sent an early message to the rest of the draw: Satwik and Chirag are ready to assert themselves in 2026.
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While the men’s doubles result provided India with a strong start, the opening round brought mixed fortunes across other categories. In women’s doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela were involved in a gripping three-game battle against Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Meilysa Trias Puspitasari. After losing the opening game 9-21, Treesa and Gayatri showed remarkable resilience to edge a tight second game 23-21, forcing a decider. However, the Indonesian pair held their nerve in the final game, pulling away at key moments to win 21-19 and bring the contest to a close after 66 minutes.
Earlier in the day, another Indian women’s doubles pairing, Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda, exited in the Round of 32 after a straight-games loss to Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan. The home favourites were in control throughout, winning 21-11, 21-9 in just 30 minutes, using their superior speed and front-court dominance to keep the Indian sisters under constant pressure.
India’s mixed doubles campaign also saw an early setback. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, who have shown promise over the past season, went down in three games to the American pair of Presley Smith and Jennie Gai. After losing the opening game 15-21, Kapila and Crasto bounced back strongly to take the second 21-18, raising hopes of a comeback. However, the Americans regrouped in the decider, capitalising on a few unforced errors from the Indian pair to close out the match 21-15 in 56 minutes.
Despite the early exits in women’s and mixed doubles, the spotlight firmly remained on Satwik and Chirag, whose assured performance set the tone for India’s presence at the Super 1000 event. With a favourable head-to-head advantage and growing confidence, the Indian duo will head into the Round of 16 looking to build momentum as the tournament progresses.
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As the Malaysia Open unfolds, India will hope that Satwik and Chirag’s commanding start becomes the foundation for a deeper run, reinforcing their status as one of the leading men’s doubles pairs on the world stage at the very start of the 2026 season.
