New Delhi:
In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty outmaneuvered Malaysia’s Yew Sin Ong and Ee Yi Teo to advance to the semifinals. The seventh-seeded Indian pair won the match in straight games, 26-24, 21-15, after a fiercely contested 49-minute battle.
This victory marks their third consecutive semifinal appearance in the prestigious tournament, highlighting their consistent performance and growing dominance in men’s doubles badminton. The match was a testament to their skill and determination, as they navigated a challenging first game that extended into extra points. Despite being pushed to their limits, Satwik and Chirag held their nerve at 24-24, showcasing exceptional reflexes and court awareness to clinch the first game 26-24 in a gripping 28-minute duel.
In the second game, the Malaysian pair started strong, maintaining their lead until the mid-game interval. However, Satwik and Chirag, medallists at the Commonwealth and Asian Games, adjusted their strategy and found their rhythm. They executed a series of well-coordinated smashes and deceptive drops, claiming 13 of the next 17 points and ultimately securing the second game 21-15.
Satwik and Chirag, who were runners-up in the previous edition of the Malaysia Open, now face a tough challenge in the semifinals against South Korea’s Won Ho Kim and Seung Jae Seo. Reflecting on their performance, the Indian duo expressed their satisfaction with the start to the year. “We couldn’t have started on a better note. We want to go as deep in the tournament as possible,” they said.
The Indian pair remains the lone representatives from their country in the tournament after several singles players, including Lakshya Sen, H.S. Prannoy, and others, were eliminated in the early rounds.
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