The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in the Men's Doubles final at the China Masters 2025, featuring India's dynamic duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, against the top-seeded Korean pair, Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho. The final will take place today, September 21, 2025, at the Shenzhen Arena in Shenzhen, China.
The Road to the Final
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, currently ranked fourth in the world, have displayed exceptional form throughout the tournament. In the semi-finals, they delivered a commanding performance against second-seeded Malaysians Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, securing a straight-games victory with scores of 21-17 and 21-14. The Indian pair had a relatively smooth path in the second game after taking an 8-2 lead. Although the Malaysian pair attempted a comeback, Satwik and Chirag maintained their dominance to win the game and secure their place in the final. Earlier in the tournament, the pair outclassed China's Ren Xiang Yu and Xie Haonan in the quarter-finals with a score of 21-14, 21-14.
Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho, the top-seeded team, have also been in impressive form. Recently, they achieved the world's number one ranking. This is the first time in nine years that a Korean badminton men's doubles team has held the top spot. Seo and Kim's partnership has been particularly fruitful, with five international competition wins this year, including the Malaysia Open, Germany Open, All England Open, Indonesia Open, and Japan Open.
Players to Watch
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy: Born on August 13, 2000, Rankireddy is a right-handed player known for his aggressive style. He and Chirag Shetty are the only Indian doubles pair to reach number 1 in the world ranking and win a World Tour Super 1000 title.
- Chirag Shetty: Born on July 4, 1997, Shetty is also a right-handed player who complements Rankireddy's power with his strategic play. Together, they have achieved numerous milestones for Indian badminton, including gold medals at the Asian Games, Asian Championships, and Commonwealth Games.
- Seo Seung-jae: Born on September 4, 1997, Seo is a three-time World Champion and was named BWF Male Player of the Year. He is the first South Korean player in 24 years to win two gold medals in a single edition of the BWF World Championships.
- Kim Won-ho: Born on June 2, 1999, Kim is a right-handed player who has quickly risen to the top of the rankings with Seo. He was a silver medalist in mixed doubles at the 2024 Summer Olympics and in men's doubles at the 2022 Asian Games.
What to Expect
The final promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the world's best men's doubles pairs. Satwik and Chirag's aggressive gameplay and formidable partnership will be tested against Seo and Kim's strategic prowess and recent dominance. Badminton fans can anticipate a high-energy match filled with powerful smashes, quickfire rallies, and tactical brilliance.
Where to Watch
While specific broadcast details aren't available, keep an eye on BWF's official website and streaming partners for live coverage.
