Changzhou, 27 July (H.S.): In the semifinals of the China Open Super 1000 badminton tournament, the Indian men’s doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty faced a setback as they lost to Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in straight games, ending their campaign in Changzhou on Saturday. The match concluded with scores of 13-21 and 17-21, marking the 14th encounter between the two pairs, with the Malaysians extending their head-to-head record to 11 wins.
The Malaysian duo, currently ranked No. 2 in the world and having previously clinched the 2022 World Championship title and Olympic bronzes, proved to be a significant hurdle for the Indian players once again. Earlier in the tournament, Satwik and Chirag had secured their semifinal position by overcoming another Malaysian pair, Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi, in a fiercely contested quarterfinal match. Throughout the year, the Indian team had shown strong form, reaching the semifinals of various tournaments, including the India Open, Singapore Open, and Malaysia Open. Even with consistent performances, they have yet to secure a title in 2024. Additionally, they reached the quarterfinals at the Indonesia Open and faced a second-round exit at the Japan Open just prior to the China Open.
Reflecting on their performance in the quarterfinals, Satwik noted their experience against Ong and Teo, highlighting how they adapted their strategy based on the game’s speed. They aimed to maintain an aggressive mindset, especially in pivotal moments, which allowed them to dominate the net against their opponents.
After their semifinal loss, Chirag expressed disappointment in not capitalizing on their opportunities, especially during the second game when they nearly turned the tide after trailing. He admitted that the pair made errors in their play, particularly in targeting the opponents differently than needed, ultimately losing crucial points during critical moments.
Despite the defeat at the China Open, the duo remains optimistic about their potential and competitive spirit in upcoming tournaments, retaining their status as strong contenders on the circuit. While setbacks occur, their consistency in reaching the latter stages of major competitions illustrates their capability to challenge for titles in future matches. The experience gained, along with their tenacity, sets them up for future successes as they continue to develop as a pair on the international badminton stage.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
