Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made a strong statement at the China Masters 2024 badminton tournament, advancing to the semi-finals with a commanding victory in the men's doubles quarter-finals. On Friday (November 22), the sixth-seeded Indian duo defeated Denmark's second-seeded pair of Anders Rasmussen and Kim Astrup in straight games, securing a 21-16, 21-19 win in just 47 minutes at the Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium in Shenzhen, China.
The Indian duo came out strong from the start, dominating the first game 21-16. While the Danish pair tried to make a comeback in the second game, Satwik and Chirag held their ground and clinched it 21-19, ensuring their place in the semi-finals. This victory set up a thrilling semi-final clash with South Korea's Jin Yong and Seo Seung Jae, who overcame Japan's Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi in their quarter-final.
The win in this tournament was particularly significant for Satwik and Chirag as it marked their return to action after the disappointment at the Paris Olympics. Earlier in the tournament, they had dispatched the 15th-ranked Danish pair of Rasmus Kjaer and Frederik Sogaard in the second round, with a 21-19, 21-15 victory.
However, it wasn't a good day for other Indian shuttlers. Lakshya Sen, who had been hopeful of a strong showing in the men's singles, was eliminated after losing to Denmark's third seed Anders Antonsen. The match saw Sen fall in straight games 21-18, 21-15, in a contest that lasted 53 minutes.
The women's singles also saw early exits for India’s top players. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu was ousted in the second round by Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min in a closely contested match. Sindhu fought hard, but ultimately lost 16-21, 21-17, 21-23. Anupama Upadhyaya was defeated by Japan's Natsuki Nidaira in straight games, 21-7, 21-14, while Malvika Bansod was also eliminated after suffering a heavy 21-9, 21-9 loss to Thai eighth seed Supanida Katethong.
In mixed doubles, B. Sumeeth Reddy and N. Sikki Reddy handed a walkover to the top-seeded Chinese duo of Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping. The women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also had a tough outing, going down 21-16, 21-11 to the second-seeded Chinese pair of Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning.
Despite these early setbacks for India, Satwik and Chirag's continued success in men's doubles offers a glimmer of hope, and all eyes will now be on their semi-final clash as they look to continue their impressive run at the China Masters 2024.
