Indonesia's Leo/Daniel Stun Indian Top Seeds to Win Thailand Open 2026

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - For Indonesia’s men’s doubles, the Thailand Open 2026 became more than just another tournament; it was a statement of revival as Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin stunned India’s top-seeded pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty.

Reunited after two years apart, the Indonesian pair defeated Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty. in with a straight-game victory, 21-12, 25-23, in the final at Nimibutr Stadium, Bangkok, on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

The triumph was their first over Rankireddy/Shetty after four previous defeats and their first major title since the Indonesia Masters 2024. It also marked Daniel’s personal comeback after a long absence due to a left knee injury, giving the win added emotional weight.

From the outset, Leo and Daniel pressed hard, using quick exchanges at the net to blunt the Indians’ aggression. Leo’s deft touches repeatedly opened space, while Daniel’s powerful smashes from the backcourt finished rallies with authority.

Their dominance was clear in the opening game, which they closed 21-12 as Rankireddy/Shetty faltered under pressure and committed errors. The second game, however, was far tighter, with the Indian duo overturning an early deficit to lead 11-9 at the interval.

The Indonesians briefly lost rhythm, including a miscommunication that saw the shuttle strike Daniel’s face. Yet they regained composure after the break, clawing back into contention and pushing the match into a tense finish at 23-23.

In the decisive moments, Leo and Daniel stayed calm, with Daniel setting up the championship point. A misreturn from Rankireddy sealed the 25-23 win and delivered Indonesia’s first men’s doubles Super 500 crown of the season.

Leo reflected on the broader significance of the victory, explaining at length how it resonates beyond the court. “This title means a lot, not just for us but for the Indonesian team and all our friends at PBSI. Hopefully this can be a turning point because the Olympics are getting closer,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

He also described their preparation and mindset, stressing the importance of starting strong and maintaining focus. “We really prepared our focus before the match, we couldn’t afford to lose the start. In the first game it worked well, but in the second the points became tight because they started to develop their game,” Leo said.

On the tense closing exchanges, Leo elaborated on how communication and risk-taking proved decisive. “During the setting we dared to take more risks and kept communication with Daniel, because with the court conditions there were no long rallies so we had to maximize the early shots,” he explained.

Daniel, meanwhile, highlighted the role of unity and determination throughout the tournament. “We felt in this tournament we succeeded because our communication was good and we both really wanted to win, so that helped us perform optimally,” he concluded.

The Bangkok triumph was not only a reunion success but also a personal milestone for Daniel after his injury layoff. For Indonesian badminton, the win is seen as a morale boost ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, reinforcing hopes of a resurgence on the global stage.

This victory, their first against Rankireddy/Shetty, underscores the return of Leo and Daniel as a formidable force in men’s doubles. ***