NEW DELHI: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have built a reputation for doing things the hard way. They fall behind, regroup, and more often than not, find a way back.On Sunday in Shenzhen, that familiar script delivered one of their most important victories of the season. The Indian pair rallied from a set down to defeat China’s He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu 11-21, 21-13, 21-17 and lift their maiden China Masters Super 750 title, ending a run of two previous final defeats at the tournament.The triumph was significant beyond the trophy. Just two weeks earlier, Satwik and Chirag had walked away from the World Championships in New Delhi devastated after surrendering a winning position in the quarterfinals. Even their participation in China had been uncertain, with Satwik continuing to manage a chronic shoulder injury and Chirag still wearing support for his lower back – something he’s been handling for a-year-and-half.Five grueling matches later, they were back on top of the podium.
‘Shenzhen gives us confidence’
The China Masters has been a curious constant in the Indians’ career. They had finished runners-up in 2023 and 2025, but the venue has repeatedly produced some of their strongest performances, even when arriving short of preparation or confidence.“We weren’t thinking about the fact that we have lost two times in the final there. We were thinking that we have played two finals there. It is kind of like the French Open for us — we feel very comfortable, stadium feels good, atmosphere feels good,” Satwik said.The 26-year-old pointed to a string of encouraging campaigns in Shenzhen across difficult phases of their career.“Even this year, we were coming back from injury, wanted confidence and Shenzhen has given that. We always go with the same intent. Whenever we get a chance, we grab that. Only concern was whether body is cooperating or not, if it is not, we wanted to take a step back because of Asian Games but pretty much confident throughout the week,” Satwik said.That confidence was tested almost immediately in the final. The Chinese pair dominated the opening game with relentless flat exchanges that prevented the Indians from generating attacking opportunities — a tactical pattern that has troubled them before.But unlike the World Championships, where Satwik’s shoulder visibly limited his overhead game, the Indian pair gradually wrestled control of the rallies. They accepted the lifts, dictated the mid-court and allowed Satwik’s attack to come alive again. The comeback followed.
The difference from World Championships
The transformation, both insisted, was more physical than mental. “I think it was mainly physical. I think we became much better after the World Championships. We got time, we got off and adjusted,” Satwik said.The unusual scheduling of the BWF calendar — with a mandatory Super 750 event two weeks after the World Championships and another fortnight before the Asian Games — had left little room for recovery in Delhi.“The World Championship was difficult for us because we didn’t have much time (on the court). We played one match, then we played quarterfinals right away. So I think after (the) World Championship, our body kind of gets settled down, used to it. Then we kind of got better. Then we weren’t sure as well in China Masters, like how much we can cope up with the body throughout the week. So we just took it one match at a time. So I think overall it was pretty much comfortable throughout the week. That’s a good sign going ahead,” Satwik said.Chirag echoed that assessment, saying the lack of match rhythm had hurt them more than anything at the World Championships.“At the World Championships, we didn’t really get a lot of court time as such, especially going into a tough match in the quarterfinals against the Chinese. And we were playing a tournament after almost three odd months. And the first match that we played was very scratchy. I think our body didn’t cope as well,” Chirag said.The contrast was evident in China. Except for the opening round, every match went the distance, forcing the Indians to endure four three-game contests in succession.“Whereas when we played five matches here at the China Open, and we almost played three sets, barring the first round, we played four three sets. And yet I think the body feels a lot better than it was at the World Championship. So I think we got another week of practice going towards the China Masters. That really helped us to do well,” Chirag said.
Perfect timing before Asian Games
The focus for the duo now shifts to Japan and the Asian Games, which will be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19, where the Indians will defend both their men’s doubles gold and India’s team silver.“We have 10 days to go before we head to Japan. And today was an off day. Obviously, we came only early this morning, so we couldn’t really sleep as much. So tomorrow we are back on court training for the Asian Games,” Chirag said.
