Malaysia Masters 2025: Hariharan-Arjun upset 7th seeds Popov brothers in R1
Synopsis
Ranked World No. 31 and written off as underdogs, Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun knocked out seventh-seeded European Championships silver medallists Christo and Toma Junior Popov in straight games at the Malaysia Masters 2025 — the clearest sign yet that this Indian pair is ready to break into the world's top 30.
Key Takeaways
Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun defeated seventh seeds Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov 21-19, 21-15 at the Malaysia Masters 2025 on 19 May 2025 .
The Indian pair, ranked World No.
31 , upset the European Championships silver medallists as underdogs.
A deep run could push Hariharan and Arjun into the top 30 in world rankings.
The duo have won four titles in the past year, including the Telangana India International Challenge , Turkiye International Challenge , Al Ain Masters , and St.
Denis Reunion Open .
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty skipped the tournament for workload management after a runners-up finish at the Thailand Open .
India had mixed results on Day 1: Ashmita Chaliha and Sathwik Kanapuram-Radhika Sharma advanced; Aakarshi Kashyap and Ashwini Bhat-Shikha Gautam exited.
Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun delivered one of the standout upsets of the Malaysia Masters 2025 opening round on Tuesday, 19 May, defeating seventh-seeded brothers Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov in straight games at Kuala Lumpur. The Indian men's doubles pair, ranked World No. 31, beat the European Championships silver medallists 21-19, 21-15 to advance to the second round.
How the Match Unfolded
Entering the contest as clear underdogs, Hariharan and Arjun stayed level with the Popov brothers for much of a tense opening game before edging it 21-19. They carried that momentum into the second, controlling rallies with greater authority to close out the match comfortably at 21-15. The two-game win was as much a statement of composure as it was of skill.
A Campaign Built on Momentum
The result is the latest milestone in a breakout run for the Indian pair on the international circuit. Over the past year, Hariharan and Arjun have claimed titles at the Telangana India International Challenge in November 2024, the Turkiye International Challenge, the Al Ain Masters in October 2024, and the St. Denis Reunion Open earlier this season. A deep run in Kuala Lumpur could push them into the top 30 in the world rankings.
What Comes Next
In the second round, the Indian duo will face either Indonesia's Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin or China's Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi. Notably, Hariharan and Arjun suffered a quarterfinal defeat against Carnando and Bagas Maulana at the Orleans Masters earlier this year — a result that will sharpen their focus if that rematch materialises.
India's Mixed Day at Malaysia Masters
Elsewhere, India had a mixed opening day across categories. In mixed doubles qualifying, Sathwik Kanapuram and Radhika Sharma advanced by defeating Malaysia's Datu Asrah and Clarissa San. In women's singles qualifying, Ashmita Chaliha progressed with a win over Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei, while Aakarshi Kashyap exited after losing to South Korea's Park Ga Eun. Women's doubles pair Ashwini Bhat and Shikha Gautam also bowed out, beaten by Canada's Jackie Dent and Crystal Lai in the opening round.
Satwik-Chirag Absent Due to Workload Management
India's top-ranked men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, skipped the Malaysia Masters as part of workload management following their runners-up finish at the Thailand Open. Their absence makes Hariharan and Arjun India's primary hope in men's doubles this week, adding weight to what is already a career-defining tournament for the pair.
Point of View
A world ranking of 31, and now a straight-games win over seventh seeds at a Super 500 event: the trajectory is hard to ignore. With Rankireddy and Shetty absent, the spotlight falls entirely on this pair, and how they handle the pressure of a potential Carnando rematch will reveal whether they are ready to hold a top-30 ranking, not just chase it.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun?
Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun are an Indian men's doubles badminton pair currently ranked World No. 31. They have won four international titles over the past year, including the Telangana India International Challenge and the Al Ain Masters.
Who did Hariharan and Arjun beat at the Malaysia Masters 2025?
They defeated seventh-seeded brothers Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov — European Championships silver medallists — 21-19, 21-15 in the opening round of the Malaysia Masters 2025 in Kuala Lumpur on 19 May 2025.
Who will Hariharan and Arjun face in the second round?
The Indian pair will face either Indonesia's Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin or China's Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi in the second round. Hariharan and Arjun previously lost to Carnando and Bagas Maulana in the quarterfinals of the Orleans Masters.
Why are Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty not playing at Malaysia Masters 2025?
Rankireddy and Shetty skipped the Malaysia Masters as part of workload management following their runners-up finish at the Thailand Open. Their absence makes Hariharan and Arjun India's leading men's doubles hope at the tournament.
How did other Indian players perform on Day 1 of the Malaysia Masters 2025?
Sathwik Kanapuram and Radhika Sharma advanced in mixed doubles qualifying, and Ashmita Chaliha progressed in women's singles. Aakarshi Kashyap and the women's doubles pair of Ashwini Bhat and Shikha Gautam both exited in the opening round.
