India enjoyed another strong day at the Malaysia Open Super 1000, with its premier men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty cruising into the quarterfinals, while young singles prospect Ayush Shetty bowed out after a courageous and high-quality battle against world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi.
For Satwik and Chirag, fondly dubbed the “Brothers of Destruction” for their explosive style, it was a performance that reaffirmed their status among the elite pairs on the BWF Tour. The third-seeded Indians defeated home favourites Arif Junaidi and Roy King Yap in straight games, 21-18, 21-11, in the Round of 16, showing composure early before asserting complete dominance as the match wore on.
Playing against a partisan Malaysian crowd, Satwik and Chirag were tested in the opening game. Arif and Yap matched the Indians point for point for long stretches, using flat exchanges and quick defensive lifts to stay in contention. The Indian pair, however, held their nerve at crucial moments. Chirag’s sharp work at the net and Satwik’s ability to unleash steep smashes from the rear court helped them close out the first game 21-18.
Once they secured that opening game, the contest tilted decisively in India’s favour. The second game was a display of controlled aggression, with Satwik-Chirag raising the tempo and suffocating the Malaysians with relentless attacking pressure. Their serve-return game tightened, mid-court interceptions became cleaner, and the rallies grew shorter. Arif and Yap were repeatedly forced into defensive positions, unable to cope with the pace and precision of the Indian pair.
The 21-11 scoreline in the second game underlined the gulf in quality once Satwik and Chirag found their rhythm. It was a clinical close-out, reflecting the experience and maturity the duo has developed at the highest level of competition. This win takes Satwik and Chirag into the quarterfinals of a Super 1000 event, another important step as they look to re-establish consistency at the top tier of the tour. With PV Sindhu also advancing to the quarterfinals earlier in the day, India will have strong representation deep into the tournament.
While the doubles court brought comfort, the singles arena delivered heartbreak and hope in equal measure through Ayush Shetty’s match against Shi Yu Qi. A day after producing the biggest win of his young career by defeating Olympic medallist and home favourite Lee Zii Jia, the 20-year-old Indian pushed the reigning world champion and top seed to his absolute limits in a gripping three-game encounter.
Shetty eventually lost 18-21, 21-18, 12-21 in a contest that lasted over an hour, but the scoreline only tells part of the story. The Indian youngster once again demonstrated why he is being spoken about as one of India’s most exciting prospects.
The opening game was a lesson in high-level singles badminton. Shetty matched Shi Yu Qi shot for shot, showing no hesitation in attacking the world No.1. He led 16-13 at one stage, putting the Chinese star under genuine pressure. However, this is where Shi Yu Qi’s class came to the fore. Displaying his trademark ability to shut the door just when opponents sense an opening, Shi reeled off seven straight points, finishing the game with a sublime net shot to take it 21-18.
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Rather than fading, Shetty responded with remarkable composure in the second game. He varied his pace intelligently, used the full width of the court and capitalised on short returns. His attacking intent was rewarded as he edged out Shi Yu Qi 21-18, forcing a decider and sending a clear message that this was no ordinary upset-chaser, but a player capable of sustaining pressure at the very top.
The third game, however, reflected the physical and mental demands of playing the world No.1. Shi Yu Qi raised his intensity, particularly in attack, while tightening his defense. Shetty continued to fight, but the Chinese shuttler pulled away decisively to close the match 21-12.
Despite the loss, this was another statement performance from Ayush Shetty. In their previous head-to-head, he had pushed Shi Yu Qi to 19 points in both games. This time, he went even closer, winning a game and threatening to take the match deep. Coming on the back of his stunning victory over Lee Zii Jia, Shetty’s Malaysia Open campaign marks a significant step forward in his development.
For Indian badminton, the day encapsulated both present strength and future promise. Satwik-Chirag’s assured progress into the quarterfinals highlighted India’s continued presence at the top of men’s doubles, while Ayush Shetty’s fearless showing against the world No. 1 offered a glimpse of what lies ahead.
As the Malaysia Open moves into its decisive stages, India’s challenge remains alive powered by experience in doubles and fuelled by youthful belief in singles.
