Basel, Switzerland – Kiran George’s impressive run at the Swiss Open 2026 came to an end on Thursday, falling to Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong China in the second round of the men’s singles competition. Despite a strong start, the Indian shuttler couldn’t maintain momentum against the world No. 44, losing 21-18, 16-21, 21-16 in a match lasting just over an hour.
The day wasn’t without its successes for India, however, as the top-seeded men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty battled through a grueling three-game match to secure their place in the quarter-finals. They overcame Hiroki Okamura and Kyohei Yamashita of Japan 21-15, 15-21, 28-26 in a contest that stretched to one hour and 14 minutes.
George’s Campaign Ends in Basel
Kiran George, ranked 42nd in the world, began brightly against Gunawan, racing to a 5-0 lead early in the first game. However, Gunawan steadily chipped away at the deficit, drawing level at 17-17 before ultimately taking the game with a late surge.
The second game saw George regain control, reeling off six consecutive points to build a significant lead and ultimately leveling the match. He maintained that momentum, establishing a 13-6 advantage and closing out the game to force a deciding third.
The final game proved to be a tightly contested affair, remaining level at 11-all. Gunawan then seized the initiative, winning five consecutive points and establishing a lead he wouldn’t relinquish, securing his spot in the next round of the BWF Super 300 tournament.
This followed a notable victory for George in the first round, where he upset former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore. Whereas that win demonstrated his potential, Thursday’s result highlights the challenges of consistency at the highest level of international badminton.
Rankireddy and Shetty Survive Marathon Match
The Asian Games men’s doubles champions, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, faced a stern test against the unseeded Japanese duo of Okamura and Yamashita. After comfortably taking the first game 21-15, they dropped the second 15-21, setting the stage for a dramatic decider.
The third game was a back-and-forth affair, with both pairs trading points relentlessly. Rankireddy and Shetty initially led 9-6, but the Japanese pair fought back to take a 13-11 lead after the change of ends. The contest remained incredibly close, with neither side able to establish a decisive advantage.
The Indian duo earned several match point opportunities, the first arriving at 20-19, but the resilient Japanese pair repeatedly saved them, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure. Rankireddy and Shetty converted their eighth match point to secure the victory and advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Christian Faust Kjaer and Rasmus Kjaer of Denmark.
Other Indian Contingent at the Swiss Open
Tharun Mannepalli likewise saw success, advancing to the second round after his opponent, Kenta Nishimoto, retired due to a shoulder injury while leading 16-21, 21-16, 7-2 in the deciding game. Mannepalli will next face Justin Hoh of Malaysia.
However, it wasn’t all positive news for the Indian contingent. Malvika Bansod lost to Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong in straight sets (11-21, 15-21), while several other Indian players exited the tournament in the opening rounds.
Notably, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen both opted to skip the Swiss Open, with Sen fresh off a strong performance reaching the final of the All England Open last week.
What’s Next?
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will seem to continue their strong form as they face Kjaer and Kjaer in the quarter-finals. Tharun Mannepalli will also be in action, taking on Justin Hoh. Further updates on the progress of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, who are scheduled to compete later in the day, will be reported as they become available. The Swiss Open continues to provide a crucial testing ground for Indian badminton players as they prepare for upcoming international tournaments and, the Olympic Games.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Swiss Open 2026 and all the latest developments in the world of badminton.
