Shetty Rankireddy Reach China Masters Final

Star Indian men's doubles pair Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have advanced to the final of the China Masters 2026, securing a spot in the championship match on Sunday, September 6. The fourth-seeded duo defeated Malaysia's Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong in a hard-fought semifinal on Saturday, September 5, with a score of 21-16, 18-21, 21-11. The victory marks the third time Shetty and Rankireddy have reached the final of the China Masters, though they are yet to win the title. Their semifinal win over the 29th-ranked Malaysians lasted 65 minutes. The Indian pair, ranked world number 5, held a 2-0 head-to-head record against Nur and Tan coming into the match, having previously defeated them at the 2024 Thailand Open and the 2025 Malaysian Open. Shetty and Rankireddy, who have reached the semifinals of the China Masters for four consecutive editions, faced a stern challenge in the second game after winning the first. The Malaysians fought back to level the match, but the Indian pair regained control in the decider, dominating rallies and building a significant lead.