China: India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, powered into the semi-finals of the China Open 2025 with a clinical straight-game win on Friday, even as rising star Unnati Hooda’s remarkable journey came to a halt in the women’s singles.
Currently ranked World No. 3, Satwik and Chirag displayed their signature aggression and sharp coordination to dispatch Malaysia’s Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi 21-18, 21-14 in just 40 minutes. The Indians now boast a 7-3 head-to-head record against the Malaysian duo.
The opening game saw the Indian pair take an early lead before a brief fightback from the Malaysians. But Satwik-Chirag held their nerve to close it out 21-18. The second game remained tight till 15-14, after which the Indians went on a six-point spree to seal the victory and secure their fourth semifinal appearance this season.
They will now face Malaysia’s World No. 2 pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, in what is expected to be a blockbuster semi-final clash.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Unnati Hooda, who captured headlines after upsetting PV Sindhu in the previous round, saw her inspiring run end in the quarterfinals. She lost 16-21, 12-21 to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, the World No. 4, in a match that lasted 33 minutes.
Despite a fighting start, Unnati found it difficult to match Yamaguchi’s speed, consistency, and tactical precision. While she kept the first game competitive, the Japanese star ran away with key points late in both games, leveraging her vast experience to dominate rallies.
With Unnati’s exit, India’s singles campaign at the China Open comes to an end. However, hopes remain high with Satwik and Chirag eyeing a spot in the finals and possibly another prestigious title on the BWF World Tour.
