Satwiksairaj-Chirag Eye Another Title at French Open Amid Tough Opposition
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty aim for another French Open title.
India’s leading men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are poised to make a strong impact at the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament, which commenced on Tuesday in Paris. The world No. 6 duo, coming off finals appearances at the Hong Kong and China Masters and a semifinal finish at the Denmark Open, face Indonesia’s Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Rahmat Hidayat in their opener. Having overcome injury challenges earlier this season, the pair—winners of this prestigious event in 2022 and 2024 and bronze medalists at this year’s World Championships in Paris—aim to leverage their recent form and affinity for the venue to chase another title.
In men’s singles, Lakshya Sen, fresh from a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open, takes on Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in a rematch of their recent three-game clash at the Denmark Open, where Sen emerged victorious. Meanwhile, young US Open champion Ayush Shetty faces a daunting challenge against Japan’s Koki Watanabe. These opening encounters test India’s singles contingent, blending Sen’s experience with Shetty’s youthful promise, as they strive to advance in a highly competitive field.
The women’s singles draw presents formidable challenges for India’s emerging talents. Anmol Kharb, who made waves with a semifinal run at the Arctic Open Super 500, faces a steep test against top seed An Se-young of Korea in the first round. Anupama Upadhyaya squares off against China’s fourth seed Han Yue, while Unnati Hooda, riding momentum from a semifinal finish at the World Junior Championships, meets Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshanaa. These matchups highlight the uphill battles India’s women face against elite opponents.
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India’s depth is further showcased in the doubles categories. In men’s doubles, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy and Sai Pratheek K aim to make their mark, while women’s doubles features an all-Indian clash between Kavipriya Selvam-Simran Singh and the Panda sisters, Rutuparna and Swetaparna. In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto and Rohan Kapoor-Rutvika Shivani Gadde take on seasoned international pairs, rounding out a robust Indian contingent. As the French Open unfolds, India’s players are set to battle for breakthroughs, aiming to convert their recent successes into lasting impact on one of badminton’s biggest stages.
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