Malaysia Open 2025: Everything you need to know about the season opener

The inaugural tournament of the Malaysia Super 1000 season begins on Tuesday, and India’s top bowlers are ready to make their mark. Leading the charge are Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, alongside rising stars like Lakshya Sen and seasoned activists like HS Prannoy.

Fresh from a stellar 2024 season, seventh-seeded Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will look to start the year on a high. The duo nearly captured the title at this event last year, but bounced back and reached three finals, earning two wins. Their exceptional form crowned them gold medalists at the Asian Games, and they will aim to replicate that success this year.

Reunion with Malaysian coach Kim Tan Her has strengthened its preparations, but the road ahead is challenging. His campaign begins against Ming Che Lu and Tang Kai Wei of Chinese Taipei. If they advance, a possible quarter-final clash with Indonesia’s fourth seeds Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto looms, a showdown that promises fireworks.

In men’s singles, Lakshya Sen enters the tournament with renewed confidence after ending a title drought with a victory in the Syed Modi International Super 300 and a podium at the King Cup International. Buoyed by these results, the 22-year-old will look for a deep run in the highly competitive Super 1000 event.

Veteran shuttler HS Prannoy returns after a five-month break due to chikungunya and fitness issues. The 32-year-old’s last appearance was a pre-quarterfinal exit at the Paris Olympics. Prannoy will face Canadian Brian Yang in his first match, hoping to regain his rhythm and shake off the rust.

Priyanshu Rajawat faces a tough test against China’s seventh seed Li Shi Feng. The young Indian has shown potential but needs to find consistency to challenge at the top level.

In women’s singles, India will miss PV Sindhu, who is absent after her recent marriage. In their place, Malvika Bansod, Aakarshi Kashyap and Anupama Upadhyaya will represent the nation. Malvika begins her campaign against Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei, Aakarshi takes on Denmark’s Julie Dawall Jakobsen and Anupama faces a tough first match against Thailand’s eighth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong.

The sixth-seeded duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will look to build on their Super 300 title in Lucknow and their strong performance in the BWF World Tour Finals. They will face Thailand’s Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn and Sukitta Suwachai in their first match.

Eighth seeds Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa, fresh from defending their Guwahati Masters Super 100 title, will take on Japan’s Misaki Matsutomo and Chiharu Shida in the first round. Rutuparna and Swetaparna Panda, who are also competing, hope to make their presence felt.

Tanisha Crasto will team up with Dhruv Kapila, while Sathish Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath, along with Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh, will represent India in mixed doubles.

With a mix of experienced champions and emerging talents, the Indian badminton contingent is set for an exciting campaign at the Malaysia Super 1000.

Malaysia Open 2025: Schedule

Round of 32 – January 7 and 8

Round of 16 – January 9

Quarterfinals – January 10

Semifinals – January 11

Finals – January 12

Malaysia Open 2025: Where to watch

Live streaming of Malaysia Open 2025 will be available on Sports 18-3. The JioCinema app and website will live stream the competition.