Malaysia Open 2026: Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag Storm Into Quarterfinals
Indian shuttlers display dominance in season opener tournament
Indian badminton stars enjoyed a stellar day at the courts, delivering commanding performances to book their spots in the quarterfinals of the season's first Super 1000 tournament. Leading the charge was double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, who looked to be in ominous form, accompanied by the dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
Sindhu’s Masterclass Against Miyazaki
PV Sindhu wasted no time in asserting her dominance over World No. 9 Tomoka Miyazaki. In a match that lasted just 33 minutes, Sindhu swept aside the 19-year-old Japanese sensation with a scoreline of 21-8, 21-13. The Indian ace appeared revitalized, showcasing improved movement and sharper tactical decisions, likely the result of her off-season work with Indonesian coach Irwansyah.
While Miyazaki had a breakthrough season last year, she had no answers for Sindhu's aggressive power game. Sindhu effectively neutralized the teenager's deceptive tricks by maintaining a relentless attack. Her cross-court drops and powerful kills left Miyazaki scrambling, with the youngster never taking the lead throughout the 63-point contest.
Up next, Sindhu prepares for a high-voltage clash against her long-time rival and third seed, Akane Yamaguchi, on Friday.
Satwik and Chirag Cruise Through
In the doubles category, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty continued their fine form against the Malaysian pair of Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap. The World No. 3 Indian pair wrapped up the match 21-18, 21-11 in under 40 minutes.
The Indians utilized their height and power to great advantage. Satwik controlled the front court while Chirag delivered decisive smashes from the back. Although the Malaysians briefly threatened in the first game by taking a narrow lead, the Indians responded with composure, reeling off four straight points to seal the game. The second game was one-way traffic, with the Indian duo cruising into the Last 8 of the Malaysia Open 2026.
