Our Bureau
Bangkok
India’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty finished as runners-up at the Thailand Open Super 500 badminton tournament after losing 12-21, 23-25 to Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin in a gripping 53-minute final on Sunday.
The World No. 4 Indian duo, who won the Thailand Open title in 2019 and 2024, looked off-colour in the opening game but showed remarkable mental strength in the second game. They saved four championship points in a row before eventually losing in a tense finish at Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium.
The contest became a high-intensity battle with quick net exchanges and fierce front-court fights. Carnando and Marthin, who reunited after two years following Marthin’s knee injury surgery, secured their first-ever victory over Satwik-Chirag, breaking the Indians’ 4-0 head-to-head record.
“It was another creditable finish for Satwik and Chirag, who have established themselves as India’s most consistent doubles pair,” the tournament report noted. This marked their third final at the USD 475,000 event and their first final of the 2026 season after missing tournaments due to Satwik’s shoulder injury.
The Indians had previously finished runners-up at the China Masters and Hong Kong Open last year. In the second game, scores remained locked from 14-14 to 19-19, with the lead changing hands constantly during tense service situations.
Marthin targeted Chirag with fierce pushes and brutal smashes throughout the match. After saving the first four championship points, the Indians finally succumbed when they found the net on the fifth championship point, ending their dream run at the tournament.
