Malaysia: In a thrilling showdown at the Malaysia Open men’s doubles final, Indian duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty faced a formidable challenge from world champions Wang Chang and Liang Weikeng. The nail-biting encounter saw the Indians claiming an emphatic victory in the first game, securing it at 21-9 in just 13 minutes.
Despite the promising start, Wang Chang and Liang Weikeng rallied back strongly, winning the second game 18-21, setting the stage for a decisive third game. The Indian pair showcased resilience and initially led 3-10, only to face a remarkable comeback from the world No. 1 duo. Ultimately, Wang Chang and Liang Weikeng clinched the final game 21-17, securing the men’s doubles title at the Malaysia Open.
Notably, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty had earlier made history by becoming the first Indians, across all disciplines, to reach the final of the Malaysia Open in the Open Era (since 1983). Their journey to the final included a victory over the Korean pair Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae in straight games, winning 21-18, 22-20.
Satwik and Chirag, recognized as the most successful Indian players in the circuit last year, boast an impressive record, claiming titles in prestigious events such as the Asian Games, Asian Championship, Indonesian Super 1000, Korea Super 500, and Swiss Open Super 300. Their commendable performance also led them to the finals of the China Masters Super 750 in November last year.