Satwik-Chirag defeated Malaysia’s Arif and Roy in straight sets to advance to the R-16

India had a mixed outing on Day 2 of the BWF China Masters 2025. India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, kept their momentum going with a straight-games win, while Lakshya Sen and the mixed doubles duo of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto exited on Wednesday at the China Masters 2025 in Shenzhen.

Fresh from their runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open, Satwik and Chirag overcame Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King 24-22, 21-13 in a 42-minute battle. The world No. 7 Indians had to dig deep in the first game, saving two game points before snatching it 24-22. The second game, however, was far more comfortable as the pair surged to an 11-6 lead at the interval and sealed the win with a commanding run of points. This marked their second victory over the Malaysian duo.

Their campaign, however, brings an interesting twist. In the very next round, Satwik–Chirag will face another stern test against Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang Chieh and 2-time Olympic Gold medallist Wang Chi-Lin. After a tight battle against this pair at the Hong Kong Open last week, the Indians emerged victorious 21-13, 18-21, 21-10 in 59 minutes. Remarkably, these two pairs are set to meet again tomorrow, promising fans a quick-fire rematch filled with anticipation.

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In men’s singles, Lakshya Sen, who had reached the final at the Hong Kong Open last week, suffered a disappointing straight-games loss to France’s Toma Junior Popov. The world No. 13 Frenchman controlled the proceedings from the start, defeating Lakshya 21-11, 21-10 in just 30 minutes. Sen trailed heavily at both mid-game breaks and couldn’t find answers to Popov’s pace and precision.

Meanwhile, mixed doubles duo Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto suffered a tough defeat at the hands of second seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dongping of China, going down 21-19, 21-13.

In women’s doubles, India’s Swetaparna Panda and Rutaparna Panda were ousted by Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi 21-8, 21-13.

With PV Sindhu already through to the pre-quarterfinals from day one, India’s hopes in Shenzhen now rest on Sindhu and the men’s doubles pair of Satwik-Chirag as the tournament moves into the business stages. Sindhu will face Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong next, against whom the Indian leads 5-6 head to head but has lost the previous two encounters.

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