Satwik-Chirag End Title Drought With Maiden Singapore Open Crown

Singapore: Former world No. 1 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty came from one match down to clinch their first Singapore Open title by beating Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in the men’s doubles final of the BWF Super 750 tournament on Sunday.

The Asian Games and Commonwealth Games champions staged a courageous comeback to claim their first title in two years and their ninth career World Tour title, as well as claiming their third Super 750 title with a tense 18-21, 21-17, 21-16 victory in one hour and 13 minutes.

The victory was particularly important for the world No. 4 Indian duo, who became the first Indian to win the doubles title at the Singapore Open.

Satwik and Chirag last won the Thailand Open in 2024. They have reached four finals since then but finished runners-up each time, finally ending the drought in Singapore.

The Indians entered the final trailing 1-2 on their head-to-head record against the Indonesian duo, with their last defeat coming in the Malaysia Open quarter-finals in January.

Coming off a tough opening game, Satwik and Chirag upped their intensity and dominated longer rallies to turn the competition around against the world No.3 Indonesians.

The victory capped an impressive week for the Indian duo, who stunned the reigning world champions and South Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae in the semi-finals.

As the winning point was set, Satwik and Chirag lay flat on the field in celebration.

Satwik followed this up with a baby-themed celebration, while an ecstatic Chirag roared loudly before jumping on his partner.

The duo then danced around the field, enjoying the long-awaited return to the top step of the podium.