Satwik-Chirag suffer another final heartbreak; finish runners-up at China Masters 2025

This is the Satwik-Chirag’s second runners-up finish in the tournament after similar result in 2023.

Another final. Another heartbreak. For the second consecutive week, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty had to settle for runners-up finish after going down in the men’s doubles final. India’s top doubles pair gave it everything they had, but once again the trophy slipped away.

The World No.7 Indian duo lost to world champions Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae of Korea in straight games 19-21, 15-21 at the China Masters 2025 final after 45 minutes of high-intensity battle.

For a moment, it looked like this was their day. After going down 0-3 in the first game, Satwik-Chirag roared back with quick reflexes at the net and booming smashes, racing to a 14-7 lead against the World No.1 Korean duo, keeping fans were on the edge of their seats.

But champions don’t go away easily. The Koreans chipped away at the lead. Point by point, they clawed back. Suddenly, 14-7 became 15-15. Incredibly. The game ended in heartbreak for the Indians as Kim and Seo snatched it 21-19.

The second game began on a hopeful note for the Indians. They led 4-3, then 7-6, and were keeping pace in a rally exchange. But the Koreans always found an answer. By the interval, Kim and Seo edged ahead 11-10, and from there, never looked back.

Also Read: Satwik-Chirag’s career in numbers: Records, stats and titles

Kim Won Ho won a rally while tumbling to the floor. Despite a review call that kept Satwik-Chirag in contention at 17-15, the top seeds were proving too strong.

With five match points in hand, the BWF 2025 World Champions closed out the second game 21-15. This marked the sixth title for Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae.

 The Indians were coming on the back of victory over the World No.2 Malaysian duo, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, 21-17, 21-14, in the semi-finals. 

But what about the Satwik-Chirag? For India’s golden pair, this one cuts deep. This was their second final defeat in just a week, after also finishing runners-up at the Hong Kong Open 2025.

They were also India’s last hope in the China Masters, a tournament where no Indian has ever lifted the trophy. This was their chance to rewrite history, to break the so-called curse.

The wait for a title now stretches back to the Thailand Open in May 2024, and the frustration is hard to hide. Because, it’s not like they haven’t been consistent. Satwik-Chirag have reached the semi-finals of a tournament seven times this season.

At the World Championships, they ensured India’s medal streak, unbroken since 2012, continued with a bronze.

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