India’s premier men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, Satwik-Chirag opened their BWF World Tour Finals 2025 campaign with a performance that underlined both their resilience and their growing maturity at the elite level.
Facing China’s formidable Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium on Wednesday, the world No. 3 Indians battled back from a game down to register a 12-21, 22-20, 21-14 victory in a contest that lasted just over an hour.
The win was significant not just for the result, but for the context. Liang and Wang had dominated recent head-to-head meetings, winning four of the last five encounters against the Indian pair. In a short-format group stage at the season-ending World Tour Finals, where margins are slim and momentum is critical, Satwik and Chirag’s ability to overturn both history and in-match adversity sent a strong message to the rest of Group B.
The opening game followed a familiar pattern from recent clashes between the two pairs. Satwik and Chirag started with intent, matching the Chinese pair in speed and aggression during the early exchanges. However, once Liang and Wang settled into their rhythm, they began to dictate play from the mid-court. Liang’s sharp interceptions and Wang’s consistency from the backhand corner disrupted the Indians’ attacking flow. Errors began to creep into Satwik and Chirag’s game, and the Chinese pair pulled away comfortably to take the first game 21-12.
What followed in the second game was a test of nerve and temperament. Aware of the importance of staying alive in the match, Satwik and Chirag tightened their game plan. The Indians focused on extending rallies, reducing risk on the return of serve, and using flatter lifts to deny the Chinese pair easy attacking angles. Despite trailing for large parts of the game, they remained composed, refusing to panic even as Liang and Wang continued to apply pressure at the net.
The closing stages of the second game proved decisive. From 18-all, the contest became a battle of patience rather than power. Satwik’s improved shot selection and Chirag’s calm presence at the front court helped the Indians save game points before finally edging the game 22-20. It was a crucial swing in momentum, one that visibly unsettled the Chinese pair and lifted the confidence of the Indians.
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Carrying that belief into the decider, Satwik and Chirag looked a different proposition altogether. The third game saw them assert control early, with Satwik’s power from the back court beginning to tell and Chirag reading the play sharply at the net. The Indians opened up a small but steady lead and, unlike earlier phases of the match, did not allow Liang and Wang to claw their way back.
As the rallies lengthened, the physical conditioning and court coverage of the Indian pair stood out. They moved Liang and Wang corner to corner, forcing errors and breaking down the Chinese defence. From 11-all, Satwik and Chirag accelerated decisively, stringing together a run of points that effectively put the match beyond doubt. They closed out the decider 21-14, sealing one of their most composed wins of the season.
Beyond the scoreline, the victory highlighted the evolution in Satwik and Chirag’s approach at the highest level. In previous seasons, tight matches against top Chinese pairs often slipped away in the closing moments. Here, the Indians showed clarity in execution and an ability to adapt mid-match qualities essential for success in a tournament that features only the world’s top eight pairs.
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The win also gives Satwik and Chirag a valuable early advantage in Group B, which is widely regarded as one of the toughest groups at the World Tour Finals. Alongside the Chinese pair, the group includes Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, as well as Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri both proven performers on the big stage.
Satwik and Chirag will next face Alfian and Fikri on Thursday, a matchup that could prove pivotal in the race for the semi-final spots. With confidence boosted and momentum firmly on their side, the Indian pair will be keen to build on this opening statement and position themselves strongly for a deep run at the season-ending showpiece.
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For now, though, this comeback win serves as a reminder that when Satwik and Chirag find their balance between aggression and control, they remain among the most dangerous men’s doubles pairs in the world.
