Satwik-Chirag Cruise to India Open 2024 Final, HS Prannoy bows out
Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, world number 2 in men's doubles, secured a 21-18, 21-14 against Chia and Wooi Yik to advance to the final.
New Delhi: World No. 2 men's doubles Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy recorded a stunning win in what was a repeat of the 2022 Asian Game semi-finals against Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik at the 2024 India Open at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, here on Saturday.
The Indian duo recorded a 21-18, 21-14 against Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists Chia and Wooi Yik to advance to the final of the BWF 750 Series badminton tournament.
The first game was a neck-and-neck affair, with both pairs performing at their best. With the score tied at 17-17, Chirag-Satwik scored three straight points to take the lead and take the lead in the tie.
The Malaysian duo came back with renewed energy in the second game and took a 10-6 lead.
But the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalists staged a comeback, scoring five straight points to overturn a 10-13 deficit. From then on, Chirag-Satwik dominated their opponents and claimed victory after winning a 29-shot rally.
The former champions will face reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae of South Korea in the final.
Expressing his thoughts on the win, Chirag Shetty said, “It was a good win today. Going into the match we knew it was going to be a tough match as we always played some really close matches. But luckily we stayed calm in the end and won in the end. The support from the public was enormous. It feels very special and I hope that many more people will come in large numbers tomorrow. Last year we couldn't complete the tournament, but this time playing in the final, against the Koreans, a formidable duo, will certainly be a good match. We want to give 100% and I think we can win it.”
In the men's singles semi-finals, 2023 World Championships bronze medalist HS Prannoy fell to world number 2 Shi Yu Qui of China, suffering a 15-21, 5-21 defeat.
In the first game the two shuttlers were closely matched. However, after Prannoy leveled the score at 14-14 after winning a 37-shot rally, his Chinese opponent scored four straight points to claim the first game.
With his smooth movements and efficient strokes, the 2022 Asian Games silver medalist maintained his pace in the second game to seal victory and reach his second consecutive final in a week.
Shi Yu Qui will face Hong Kong's Lee Chuek Yiu, who stunned 2023 World Championships silver medalist Kodai Naraoka of Japan in a thrilling 21-13, 15-21, 21-19 victory in the final.
Earlier, Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Chen Yu Fei and silver medalist Tai Tzu-Ying of Chinese Taipei recorded comprehensive victories to set up a highly anticipated women's singles final.
World No. 2 Chen Yu Fei was at the top of her game as she prevailed 21-13, 21-18 against compatriot Wang Zhi Yi, while fourth seed Tai Tzu-Ying saw off Yeo Jia Min Singapore defeated 21-13, 21-18. in 37 minutes.
In the women's doubles, Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara of Japan defeated Hangzhou Asian Games silver medalists Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee of South Korea 21-13, 21-16.
They will face 2023 World Championships bronze medalists Zhang Shu
In the mixed doubles, former world champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand recorded a hard-fought 18-21, 21-15, 21-19 victory over Ye Hong Wei and Lee Chia Hsin of Chinese Taipei.
Reigning Asian champions Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya