Satwik-Chirag into Singapore Open semis, Sindhu ousted by two-time Olympic champion
Singapore Open 2026: Satwik-Chirag kept India's Singapore Open hopes alive by reaching the semi-finals, while PV Sindhu bowed out after a straight-games defeat to world No. 1 An Se Young in the quarter-finals.
India's Singapore Open campaign witnessed contrasting fortunes on Friday as Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty stormed into the men's doubles semi-finals, while PV Sindhu crashed out in the women's singles quarter-finals. Lakshya Sen, meanwhile, was yet to play his last-eight match at the time of writing.
Satwik and Chirag kept India's title hopes alive with a fighting 19-21, 21-17, 21-13 win over Malaysia's Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai in the men's doubles quarter-finals.
Singapore Open Quarterfinals: Live Updates
The Indian duo were pushed hard in the opening game as the Malaysians edged a closely-contested battle 21-19. However, Satwik and Chirag responded impressively, taking control of the rallies with their aggressive attacking play and dominance at the net. They claimed the second game 21-17 before completely taking over in the decider.
After a competitive start to the third game, the former world No. 1 pair surged ahead and never looked back. Their powerful smashes and sharp interceptions repeatedly troubled the Malaysian pair as they raced to a comfortable 21-13 win to seal a place in the semi-finals.
SINDHU FALLS TO WORLD NO. 1
Earlier in the day, PV Sindhu's run came to an end after she suffered a 17-21, 14-21 defeat to reigning Olympic champion and world No. 1 An Se Young.
The two-time Olympic medallist showed flashes of her attacking best but struggled to consistently trouble the Korean, who once again demonstrated why she is the dominant force in women's badminton.
Sindhu stayed within touching distance in the opening game, recovering from a four-point deficit to make it 17-19 before a couple of costly errors allowed An to close it out. The second game proved even tougher as the Korean raced to a 6-0 lead and never truly relinquished control despite Sindhu's spirited attempts to fight back.
An's exceptional court coverage, precision and ability to absorb pressure ultimately proved decisive as she wrapped up the contest in 48 minutes.
The defeat extended Sindhu's winless run against An Se Young to nine matches and brought an end to her Singapore Open campaign. India's hopes now rest with Satwik-Chirag and Lakshya Sen, who was scheduled to play his quarter-final later in the day.
India's Singapore Open campaign witnessed contrasting fortunes on Friday as Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty stormed into the men's doubles semi-finals, while PV Sindhu crashed out in the women's singles quarter-finals. Lakshya Sen, meanwhile, was yet to play his last-eight match at the time of writing.
Satwik and Chirag kept India's title hopes alive with a fighting 19-21, 21-17, 21-13 win over Malaysia's Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai in the men's doubles quarter-finals.
Singapore Open Quarterfinals: Live Updates
The Indian duo were pushed hard in the opening game as the Malaysians edged a closely-contested battle 21-19. However, Satwik and Chirag responded impressively, taking control of the rallies with their aggressive attacking play and dominance at the net. They claimed the second game 21-17 before completely taking over in the decider.
After a competitive start to the third game, the former world No. 1 pair surged ahead and never looked back. Their powerful smashes and sharp interceptions repeatedly troubled the Malaysian pair as they raced to a comfortable 21-13 win to seal a place in the semi-finals.
SINDHU FALLS TO WORLD NO. 1
Earlier in the day, PV Sindhu's run came to an end after she suffered a 17-21, 14-21 defeat to reigning Olympic champion and world No. 1 An Se Young.
The two-time Olympic medallist showed flashes of her attacking best but struggled to consistently trouble the Korean, who once again demonstrated why she is the dominant force in women's badminton.
Sindhu stayed within touching distance in the opening game, recovering from a four-point deficit to make it 17-19 before a couple of costly errors allowed An to close it out. The second game proved even tougher as the Korean raced to a 6-0 lead and never truly relinquished control despite Sindhu's spirited attempts to fight back.
An's exceptional court coverage, precision and ability to absorb pressure ultimately proved decisive as she wrapped up the contest in 48 minutes.
The defeat extended Sindhu's winless run against An Se Young to nine matches and brought an end to her Singapore Open campaign. India's hopes now rest with Satwik-Chirag and Lakshya Sen, who was scheduled to play his quarter-final later in the day.
