🇩🇰 Denmark Open 2025: Satwik-Chirag Shine Into Semifinals, Lakshya Sen Falls in Quarters
Mixed Fortunes for Indian Badminton in Odense
By SportsTreat News Desk | Odense, Denmark – October 18, 2025
The Denmark Open 2025, one of badminton’s most prestigious Super 750 events, has once again proven to be a stage of contrasts for Indian shuttlers. On a day of high emotion and split results, India’s top men’s doubles duo — Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty — powered their way into the semifinals with an impressive win, while Lakshya Sen bowed out in the singles quarter-finals after a difficult loss to French prodigy Alex Lanier.
🏸 Satwik-Chirag: The Dynamic Duo Deliver Once Again
Satwik and Chirag, currently world No. 3, showcased their trademark flair and focus in a hard-fought victory over Indonesia’s Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Rahmat Hidayat, winning 21-15, 18-21, 21-16 in 65 minutes of high-quality badminton.
From the very start, the Indian pair dictated the rallies — combining Satwik’s powerful smashes with Chirag’s quick reflexes and deft net play. The opening game went India’s way as they dominated with superior placement and controlled aggression. The Indonesians hit back in the second, exploiting momentary lapses in rhythm and extending the match to a decider.
But when the stakes were high, Satwik and Chirag regrouped in style. The final game saw a return to their best form — sharp interceptions, fast exchanges, and cool-headed defence under pressure — sealing their semifinal berth in front of a packed Odense crowd.
“We knew the Indonesians are dangerous when the rallies get fast and flat. So, we tried to keep our defence lower and be patient with our attacks,” Chirag said post-match.
“It’s good to get through such tough matches — this builds rhythm for the next rounds,” added Satwik.
Their next challenge: Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, a pair they have faced several times in recent years. With the head-to-head narrowly in India’s favour, fans are in for another blockbuster clash between two of the sport’s most tactical duos.
đź’Ş Consistency and Control Define Their Rise
This run further cements Satwik-Chirag’s position as one of the world’s most consistent doubles teams. Having claimed titles in France and Indonesia last season, and finishing runners-up in Hong Kong earlier this year, the Indian pair has demonstrated remarkable composure in back-to-back tournaments.
Their tactical evolution is equally noteworthy. Once known mainly for power and speed, they now exhibit refined defensive structure and court awareness — a clear result of disciplined training and experience on the world stage.
Badminton analysts have praised their transition play — switching seamlessly from defence to attack — something that distinguishes elite pairs from the rest.
“Satwik and Chirag have matured immensely as a pair,” noted Indian coach Mathias Boe. “They are learning to win ugly when needed — which is a sign of champions.”
🎯 Lakshya Sen’s Run Ends Abruptly
While doubles success brought joy, singles hopes were dashed as Lakshya Sen went down 9-21, 14-21 to France’s Alex Lanier in just 44 minutes.
The defeat came as a surprise, especially after Lakshya’s impressive upset over world No. 2 Anders Antonsen in the previous round. Against Lanier, however, the 24-year-old Indian struggled to find his usual rhythm. His attacking shots lacked bite, and unforced errors crept in early, giving the Frenchman control of the rallies.
Lanier, just 20 years old, showcased exceptional composure — forcing Lakshya into long exchanges before striking with precise smashes and deceptive cross-drops. The Indian attempted to fight back in the second game, even leading briefly at 9-8, but Lanier’s superior court coverage and consistency shut the door quickly.
“It just wasn’t my day,” Lakshya admitted after the match. “Lanier played with great control. I couldn’t maintain pressure long enough. I’ll take the positives from this week and come back stronger.”
Despite the loss, Lakshya’s performance earlier in the tournament — particularly his commanding win over Antonsen — showed that he continues to evolve as one of India’s most promising singles players. His challenge now lies in maintaining consistency across rounds, something that has eluded him in recent months.
🔍 Tactical Takeaways for Team India
For Satwik-Chirag:
- Superior service returns and anticipatory positioning were key.
- Their ability to slow down rallies against fast-playing Indonesians shows growing strategic maturity.
- Their net control and ability to finish with precision remain world-class.
For Lakshya Sen:
- Needs to rebuild rhythm and patience under pressure.
- Improving defensive retrievals and second-phase attack transitions will be crucial before the next Super Series swing.
- His early-round form indicates that physical conditioning and match tempo are back on track — just needs steadier execution against counterpunchers like Lanier.
🌍 Why the Denmark Open Matters
The Denmark Open, part of the BWF World Tour Super 750 series, offers vital ranking points and serves as an indicator of form heading into the season’s final stretch. Indian badminton, in particular, views Odense as an important benchmark — a platform where discipline, endurance, and adaptability are tested against Europe’s best.
For India, this week in Odense marks both progress and perspective:
Satwik-Chirag continue to prove that Indian doubles belong among the global elite.
Lakshya Sen’s run, though cut short, reveals glimpses of the grit needed for consistent top-tier contention.
With Olympic qualification on the horizon, performances like these will be invaluable in shaping confidence and ranking momentum.
🏆 Looking Ahead
Satwik-Chirag’s semifinal encounter promises to be another thriller, and a win would mark their second Super 750 final of the season — keeping alive India’s hopes for a Denmark Open title after a gap of nearly two decades.
Meanwhile, Lakshya will regroup and prepare for the upcoming French Open 2025, where he’ll aim to bounce back stronger. His recent matches have shown flashes of world-class control — consistency is now the key.
✍️ SportsTreat Verdict
Indian badminton’s story at the Denmark Open 2025 is one of balance — triumph and turbulence in equal measure. Satwik and Chirag continue to symbolize India’s rise in doubles, combining charisma with control. Lakshya’s early exit, while disappointing, underscores the fine margins that define elite-level play.
In Odense, the tricolour still flies high — thanks to a pair that refuses to settle for anything less than excellence.
