Satwiksairaj-Chirag Shine in Men’s Doubles; Srikanth Bows Out in Second Round in Malaysia Open
In a display of exceptional skill, the Indian men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, continued their remarkable journey at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 badminton tournament. The duo, ranked World No. 2, secured a convincing victory against France’s Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar with a scoreline of 21-11, 21-18. Their stellar performance sets the stage for an upcoming clash with China’s He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu in the quarterfinals.
Srikanth Falters in Second Round
Despite high expectations, Kidambi Srikanth faced a setback in the men’s singles category, unable to overcome the challenge posed by Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus. Srikanth’s journey in the Malaysia Open came to an end as he succumbed to a defeat with a scoreline of 13-21, 17-21. The Indian shuttler, ranked 24th globally, struggled to rein in his errors, allowing Ka Long to assert dominance and secure the victory in a 38-minute match.
In a notable upset, the Indian women’s doubles pair comprising Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto emerged victorious against the seventh-seeded Japanese duo of Wakana Nagahara and Mayu Matsumoto. The Indian pair displayed resilience and strategic play, clinching the match with a score of 21-19, 13-21, 21-15. This triumph positions Ponnappa and Crasto closer to Olympic qualification, enhancing their prospects for the Paris Olympics.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, known for their aggressive style of play, demonstrated their prowess in the men’s doubles encounter. Establishing an 11-2 lead at the break in the opening game, the Asian Games gold medallists maintained their dominance. Despite a brief resurgence from the French pair, the Indian duo secured the first game with ease. In the second game, Corvee and Labar staged a comeback, but Satwik and Chirag’s resilience secured them a spot in the quarterfinals.
Srikanth’s Struggles and Ka Long’s Victory
Kidambi Srikanth faced early setbacks in the men’s singles match, losing a promising lead of 6-1 to Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus. Srikanth’s inconsistencies and Ka Long’s determined play led to the Indian shuttler’s defeat. While Srikanth attempted a comeback in the second game, Ka Long’s relentless approach proved decisive. The Hong Kong player’s well-executed shots and strategic play eventually secured him a convincing victory.
The triumph of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto against the seventh-seeded Japanese pair propels them closer to securing a berth at the Paris Olympics. Their impressive performance at the Malaysia Open reinforces their credentials as they aim for Olympic qualification.
