India’s star men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, popularly known as SatChi, booked their place in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open 2025 Super 500 after a hard-fought 21-14, 20-22, 21-16 win over Malaysia’s Tan Arif and Yap Roy in the quarterfinals on Friday.
The result means Satwik and Chirag, former world no. 1 in the BWF rankings, are now into their sixth semifinal of the 2025 season. It has not been a week of straightforward victories for the pair, but once again they showed grit, resilience, and composure under pressure to come through in three games.
The opening game saw Satwik and Chirag stamp their authority early. Using their trademark aggressive play at the net and sharp smashes from the backcourt, the Indians raced into an 11-6 lead at the mid-game interval. Satwik’s power from the backline coupled with Chirag’s quick interceptions at the net forced errors from the Malaysians, who struggled to handle the pace. The Indians maintained their momentum after the interval, controlling the rallies and mixing up their shots to keep Arif and Yap guessing. They closed the opener 21-14, looking comfortable and in control.
Malaysians fight back in the match
But as has been the story in several of their matches this week, Satwik and Chirag allowed their opponents a way back in the second game. Arif and Yap began to settle into the rhythm, reading the Indians’ attack better and defending with greater consistency. India still looked in charge at 17-15, but the Malaysians turned the tide, winning four straight points to move to 19-17. SatChi saved three game points, leveling the score at 20-20 in a display of trademark fighting spirit. Yet, the Malaysians held their nerve in the crucial moments, snatching the game 22-20 to force a decider.
The dropped second game highlighted a lingering concern for the Indian pair their tendency to lose focus and allow opponents back into contests.
The third game was a test of mental strength as much as skill. With the crowd backing the Malaysians, Satwik and Chirag dug deep, refusing to let the match slip. At 9-9, the Indians shifted gears. Chirag’s dominance at the net came to the fore, cutting off angles and pouncing on half-chances. Satwik, meanwhile, found his rhythm from the backcourt, unleashing a series of steep smashes that left the Malaysians scrambling.
From 14-12, SatChi won four of the next five points, establishing an unassailable 18-13 lead. Though Arif and Yap saved two match points, the Indians sealed the contest 21-16 on their third opportunity, punching the air in relief and delight.
Sixth semifinal of 2025 but no Finals
The victory marks Satwik and Chirag’s sixth semifinal appearance this year, underlining their consistency on the BWF World Tour despite battling form fluctuations. Earlier in 2025, the Indians reached the last four in Malaysia, France, Singapore, and two Super 1000s in Indonesia and China. This Hong Kong run continues their streak of deep tournament finishes, cementing their status as one of the most formidable men’s doubles pairs in the world.
Head-to-head and rivalry insights
Against Malaysian pairs, Satwik and Chirag have built a strong record over the years. Across all competitions, they have now won 28 encounters and lost 21 against Malaysian opposition. Their most notable rivalry has been with Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin, against whom the Indians hold a 7-3 winning record. Friday’s quarterfinal was another addition to that Indo-Malaysian badminton rivalry, with the Indians once again proving their mettle in crunch moments.
In the semifinals, Satwik and Chirag are likely to face the Chinese pair Chen Bo Yang and Lin Jian Zhi, currently ranked World No. 99. On paper, the Indians will be overwhelming favorites, given their experience and higher ranking. However, Chen and Lin have been on a dream run in Hong Kong and will relish the chance to test themselves against one of the best pairs in the world. The challenge for SatChi will be to avoid complacency and bring sharper focus than they have shown in patches this week. The Indians have looked vulnerable in certain phases, dropping games they should have closed out more comfortably.
Against higher-ranked opponents in future rounds, such lapses could prove costly.
Building momentum towards year-end
The Hong Kong Open is a key stop in the run-up to the BWF World Tour Finals later this year, where Satwik and Chirag are near-certain qualifiers. A strong finish here will further boost their momentum as they aim to consolidate their place among the world’s elite. For Indian badminton, their continued success in men’s doubles is a significant boost. Once considered a weak link, men’s doubles is now one of the country’s strongest events thanks to SatChi’s rise. Their success also serves as inspiration for the younger crop of doubles specialists coming through the ranks.
After the match, the Indians admitted it was not their best performance but stressed the importance of fighting through difficult phases. “It wasn’t smooth, but we are happy to be back in another semifinal,” Chirag said. “We know we can play better, and that will be our focus tomorrow.” Satwik echoed the sentiment, adding: “It’s all about staying patient and trusting our game. Matches like these help us prepare for the bigger stages.”
With another semifinal secured, SatChi stand on the cusp of yet another final. Should they find their rhythm, there is every chance the “Brothers of Destruction,” as they are often called, will once again be contesting for silverware come Sunday in Hong Kong.
Final Score:
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty (IND) bt. Tan Arif / Yap Roy (MAS) 21-14, 20-22, 21-16
Next Match:
Semifinal vs Chen Bo Yang / Lin Jian Zhi (CHN), World No. 99
