 World No.2 men’s doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy recorded a stellar victory in what was a repeat of the Asian Game 2022 semi-finals against Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia in the India Open 2024 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, here on Saturday.The Indian pair secured a 21-18, 21-14 against Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists Chia and Wooi Yik and progressed to the final of the BWF 750 Series badminton tournament.The first game was a neck-to-neck affair with both pairs performing at their absolute best. With the game tied at 17-17, Chirag-Satwik scored three straight points to surge ahead and take the lead in the tie.The Malaysian pair came back with renewed energy in the second game to take a 10-6 advantage.But, the Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallists mounted a comeback and scored five straight points to overturn a 10-13 deficit. From that point, Chirag-Satwik dominated their opponents and after winning a 29-shot rally, claimed the victory.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 that it will be a tough game because we always had some really close games. But luckily in the end, we stayed calm and eventually won. The crowd support has been tremendous. It feels really, special and I hope to see many more people coming in huge numbers tomorrow as well. Last year, we couldn’t complete the tournament, but this time playing in the final, against the Koreans who are a formidable duo, definitely it will be a good match. We want to give our 100 % and I think we can win it.”In the men’s singles semi-finals, 2023 World Championships bronze medallist HS Prannoy went down fighting against the World No. 2 Shi Yu Qui of China and suffered a 15-21, 5-21 defeat.The two shuttlers were closely matched in the first game. However, after Prannoy leveled the score at 14-14 after winning a 37-shot rally, his Chinese opponent scored four successive points to claim the first game.With his smooth movement and efficient smashes, the Asian Games 2022 silver medallist maintained his tempo in the second game to seal the victory and reach his second successive final in a week.Shi Yu Qui will face Hong Kong’s Lee Chuek Yiu, who stunned 2023 World Championships silver medallist Kodai Naraoka of Japan in a thrilling 21-13, 15-21, 21-19 win, in the final.Earlier, Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Chen Yu Fei of China and silver medallist Tai Tzu-Ying of Chinese Taipei registered 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 by 21-13, 21-18 against compatriot Wang Zhi Yi while fourth seed Tai Tzu-Ying defeated Yeo Jia Min of Singapore 21-13, 21-18 in 37 minutes.In women’s doubles, Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara of Japan overcame Hangzhou Asian Games silver medallists Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee of South Korea 21-13, 21-16.They will take on World Championships 2023 bronze medallists Zhang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu of China who defeated compatriots Li Wen Mei and Liu Xuan Xuan 19-21, 21-17, 21-18.In mixed doubles, former World champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand recorded a hard-fought 18-21, 21-15, 21-19 win over Ye Hong Wei and Lee Chia Hsin of Chinese Taipei.Reigning Asian Champions Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin of China will take on the Thai pair in the final after packing off Kim Won Ho and Jeong Na Eun of South Korea 21-19, 21-18.–IANScs/){kind=link}
New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) World No.2 males’s doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy recorded a stellar victory in what was a repeat of the Asian Recreation 2022 semi-finals in opposition to Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia within the India Open 2024 on the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, right here on Saturday.
The Indian pair secured a 21-18, 21-14 in opposition to Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists Chia and Wooi Yik and progressed to the ultimate of the BWF 750 Sequence badminton event.
The primary sport was a neck-to-neck affair with each pairs acting at their very best. With the sport tied at 17-17, Chirag-Satwik scored three straight factors to surge forward and take the lead within the tie.
The Malaysian pair got here again with renewed vitality within the second sport to take a 10-6 benefit.
However, the Commonwealth Video games 2022 gold medallists mounted a comeback and scored 5 straight factors to overturn a 10-13 deficit. From that time, Chirag-Satwik dominated their opponents and after successful a 29-shot rally, claimed the victory.
The previous champions will face reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Web optimization Seung Jae of South Korea within the ultimate.
Expressing his ideas on the win Chirag Shetty mentioned, “It was an excellent win right now. Going into the match, we knew that it is going to be a tricky sport as a result of we all the time had some actually shut video games. However fortunately ultimately, we stayed calm and ultimately gained. The group assist has been great. It feels actually, particular and I hope to see many extra folks coming in big numbers tomorrow as properly. Final yr, we couldn’t full the event, however this time enjoying within the ultimate, in opposition to the Koreans who’re a formidable duo, positively it is going to be an excellent match. We need to give our 100 % and I feel we will win it.”
Within the males’s singles semi-finals, 2023 World Championships bronze medallist HS Prannoy went down preventing in opposition to the World No. 2 Shi Yu Qui of China and suffered a 15-21, 5-21 defeat.
The 2 shuttlers had been intently matched within the first sport. Nonetheless, after Prannoy leveled the rating at 14-14 after successful a 37-shot rally, his Chinese language opponent scored 4 successive factors to say the primary sport.
Along with his clean motion and environment friendly smashes, the Asian Video games 2022 silver medallist maintained his tempo within the second sport to seal the victory and attain his second successive ultimate in every week.
Shi Yu Qui will face Hong Kong’s Lee Chuek Yiu, who surprised 2023 World Championships silver medallist Kodai Naraoka of Japan in an exhilarating 21-13, 15-21, 21-19 win, within the ultimate.
Earlier, Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Chen Yu Fei of China and silver medallist Tai Tzu-Ying of Chinese language Taipei registered complete victories to arrange a extremely anticipated girls’s singles ultimate.
World No.2 Chen Yu Fei was on the prime of her sport as she prevailed by 21-13, 21-18 in opposition to compatriot Wang Zhi Yi whereas fourth seed Tai Tzu-Ying defeated Yeo Jia Min of Singapore 21-13, 21-18 in 37 minutes.
In girls’s doubles, Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara of Japan overcame Hangzhou Asian Video games silver medallists Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee of South Korea 21-13, 21-16.
They are going to tackle World Championships 2023 bronze medallists Zhang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu of China who defeated compatriots Li Wen Mei and Liu Xuan Xuan 19-21, 21-17, 21-18.
In blended doubles, former World champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand recorded a hard-fought 18-21, 21-15, 21-19 win over Ye Hong Wei and Lee Chia Hsin of Chinese language Taipei.
Reigning Asian Champions Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin of China will tackle the Thai pair within the ultimate after packing off Kim Received Ho and Jeong Na Eun of South Korea 21-19, 21-18.
–IANS
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