Japan Open 2025: Satwik-Chirag retire hurt, Sindhu advances to Rd 2
Synopsis
Satwik-Chirag's shoulder injury curse struck again at the Japan Open, forcing a retirement after just one game against Denmark — and now ruling them out of the China Open too. With the BWF World Championships in India next month, the clock is ticking on Satwik's recovery. Sindhu, at least, gave India something to cheer about with a dominant 35-minute win.
Key Takeaways
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty retired from their Japan Open 2025 first-round match after losing the opening game 19-21 to Denmark's Lundgaard and Vestergaard.
Satwik's recurring shoulder injury — the same problem that ended their Indonesia Open campaign in June — is the cause of the withdrawal.
The pair are also ruled out of next week's China Open ; they now target the BWF World Championships in India next month.
PV Sindhu (world No.
10) beat Malaysia's Wong Ling Ching 21-14, 21-11 in 35 minutes , extending her head-to-head record against Wong to 3-0 .
Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto won their mixed doubles opener 21-16, 21-14 ; Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde lost to top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping .
Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda begin their singles campaigns on Wednesday .
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, India's star men's doubles pair, were forced to retire from their Japan Open 2025 first-round match on Tuesday in Tokyo due to Satwik's recurring shoulder injury, dealing a fresh blow to India's campaign at the BWF Super 750 event. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, however, provided a bright spot with a commanding 21-14, 21-11 win over Malaysia's Wong Ling Ching to advance to the second round.
Satwik-Chirag Forced Out Again
The world No. 4 pair were making their return to competition for the first time since withdrawing from the Indonesia Open in June. Against Denmark's Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard, the Indians dropped a closely-contested opening game 19-21 before deciding not to continue, with Satwik's shoulder — the same injury that sidelined the duo for the past month — proving too troublesome to play through.
The retirement also rules the pair out of next week's China Open. Their focus now shifts to the BWF World Championships, scheduled to be held in India next month, as the pair look to arrive fit for the marquee event.
The Injury in Context
The setback is particularly frustrating given the duo's recent form. Satwik and Chirag had ended a two-year wait for a BWF World Tour title by claiming the Singapore Open crown in May 2025, only for Satwik to aggravate his shoulder during the opening round in Indonesia shortly after. This is the second consecutive tournament in which the pair have been unable to complete a match due to the same injury, raising questions about the timeline of Satwik's recovery ahead of the World Championships.
Sindhu Cruises in 35 Minutes
Against the backdrop of the doubles setback, PV Sindhu delivered a polished performance on her Japan Open opener. The world No. 10 controlled the rallies from the start against Wong Ling Ching, building a comfortable lead in the first game through a combination of aggressive smashes and precise net play. She carried that momentum into the second game, racing to an 11-3 interval lead before wrapping up the match in just 35 minutes. The win extended Sindhu's head-to-head record against Wong to 3-0.
Mixed Doubles: One Win, One Loss
Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto gave India another positive result in the mixed doubles draw, defeating Scotland's Alexander Dunn and Julie Macpherson 21-16, 21-14 to progress to the next round. However, Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde were outclassed by top-seeded Chinese pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping, losing 11-21, 10-21 in the first round.
What's Next for India
India's campaign at the Japan Open continues on Wednesday, with Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda set to begin their singles campaigns. Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun are also scheduled to face Chinese Taipei's Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan in the men's doubles first round. With Satwik-Chirag out of contention, the spotlight now falls on Sindhu and the remaining Indians to carry the flag forward in Tokyo.
Point of View
And the timing could not be worse — the BWF World Championships on home soil are weeks away. The Singapore Open title in May raised hopes of a sustained title run; instead, the pair have played fewer matches than they have withdrawn from since then. The deeper concern is whether a month of rest has been sufficient, or whether a more structural intervention is needed. India's doubles depth is thin enough that Satwik-Chirag's fitness is not just a team selection issue — it is a medal-count issue at the World Championships.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Satwik-Chirag retire from the Japan Open 2025?
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty retired from their Japan Open 2025 first-round match due to Satwik's recurring shoulder injury. The pair dropped the opening game 19-21 against Denmark's Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard before deciding not to continue.
Will Satwik-Chirag play the China Open 2025?
No. The Japan Open retirement also rules Satwik and Chirag out of the China Open the following week. The duo are now focused on recovering in time for the BWF World Championships in India next month.
How did PV Sindhu perform at the Japan Open 2025?
PV Sindhu won her first-round match comfortably, defeating Malaysia's Wong Ling Ching 21-14, 21-11 in just 35 minutes to advance to the second round. The win extended her head-to-head record against Wong to 3-0.
What was Satwik-Chirag's last title before the injury?
Satwik and Chirag won the Singapore Open in May 2025, ending a two-year wait for a BWF World Tour title. Satwik aggravated his shoulder injury during the Indonesia Open shortly after, beginning the current injury spell.
Which other Indian players are competing at the Japan Open 2025?
Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto progressed in mixed doubles, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde were eliminated. Lakshya Sen, Unnati Hooda, Hariharan Amsakarunan, and MR Arjun are scheduled to play on Wednesday.
