Indian men's doubles pair
The match, which lasted 65 minutes, saw the Indian pair overcome a second-game lapse to maintain their momentum in the decider. Following the win, Chirag Shetty expressed satisfaction with the team's progress, noting that reaching a final in only their second tournament back after a three-month injury break is a significant achievement for the pair.
A Decisive Performance in Shenzhen
The semifinal encounter began with the Malaysians taking an early 5-0 lead, but the Indian pair responded with seven consecutive points to shift the momentum. Despite a few unforced errors, Rankireddy and Shetty held an 11-9 lead at the interval. The opening game was highlighted by a 54-shot rally, which ultimately went the way of the Indians, helping them secure the first game 21-15.
The second game proved more challenging as the Malaysians, led by veteran Tan Wee Kiong, forced a decider. The pairs remained neck-and-neck until 18-18, at which point the Malaysians pulled away to level the match. However, the Indian duo regained control in the third game, establishing an early 5-2 lead. Their dominance grew as the game progressed, with Rankireddy and Shetty entering the final interval with an 11-4 advantage. They maintained this intensity to close out the decider 21-11, converting their third match point.
Looking Ahead to the Final
Rankireddy and Shetty, who are seeded fourth, will now face the Chinese pair of He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu in the summit clash. Reflecting on their journey this week, Rankireddy acknowledged the pattern of their matches, noting that while they have frequently dropped the second game, the experience of playing high-pressure points has been invaluable for their return to competition.
The Indian pair has maintained a perfect record against Nur and Tan, having previously defeated them at the 2024 Thailand Open and the 2025 Malaysian Open. As they prepare for the final, the duo remains focused on recovery and maintaining the form that has seen them reach this stage in Shenzhen, a venue they have described as special to their partnership.
