Satwik-Chirag pair finishes second best at Malaysia Open


PTI, Jan 14, 2024, 5:12 PM IST

Image credit: X / @BAI_Media

Kuala Lumpur: India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty faltered at the finishing line to end their dream run at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 with a narrow loss in the men’s doubles final against world No. 1 Chinese Liang Wei keng and Wang Chang here on Sunday.

Satwik and Chirag, the Asian Games gold medallists, squandered an opening game advantage and an 11-7 lead in the decider to go down 21-9 18-21 17-21 to Liang and Wang in the summit clash which saw both the pairs displaying some exquisite strokeplay.

It was a fourth defeat for the Indian pair against Liang and Wang, having lost three of their last four meetings — all in 2023. The only time Satwik and Chirag had emerged victories was during their title-winning run at Korea Open Super 500 last year.

In fast playing conditions, the Indians dominated the proceedings early on, cruising to a 5-1 lead with the help of some angled returns and accurate placements.

Satwik and Chirag looked in complete control while their opponents were a bit nervy as they played short and pacy rallies comprising just 5-8 flat and fast shots.

The Indians had a seven-point advantage at the break when the Chinese went to the net.

The targeted returns of the Indians often left the Chinese cramped as they patrolled the front court. Soon the Indians were 18-9 up and grabbed the opening game after Liang went wide and long.

It was time for the Chinese pair to run up a 8-2 lead after the change of ends as the Indians repeatedly missed their mark. Satwik also committed a service error as the Chinese duo was 9-5 up and when Chirag mistimed a return-to-serve, it was a 11-6 advantage for Liang and Wang.

The match didn’t see too many smashes as none of the pairs tried to lift and kept the shuttle flat during the rallies. The focus was to find gaps and angles without compromising on the pace.

After resumption, the Indians started to draw out errors from their opponents to make it 15-17. A short serve from Satwik gave two game points to the Chinese, and Liang sealed it with a lethal return to roar back into the contest.

The decider started with the same breathtaking speed with the Indians up 4-2 after Liang was called for a service fault for height.

Back to the winning side, the Indians once again looked ominous, waltzing away with quick points to move to 10-3 before taking a four-point cushion at the final break.

Chirag was brilliant near the net, pouncing on anything marginally weak but things started changing after resumption as Wang came to the fore, dominating the front court and soon brought things at level at 12-12 with a flick serve.

Satwik seemed to falter a bit in the end as he conceded a few points on the flat pushes. On one such occasion, when Satwik went wide during a flat exchange, the Chinese moved into a 14-13 lead for the first time.

Liang, who had looked a bit subdued till now, also found his groove just in time as the Chinese moved to 19-16.

A disguised cross court drop shot gave four championship points to the Chinese. The Indians saved one before the Chinese shut the doors on their hopes.

It was yet another creditable performance from the Indian pair, which had claimed its maiden Super 1000 crown at the Indonesia Open last June.

Satwik and Chirag will next compete at the India Open Super 750 tournament starting in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Kannada Sahitya Sammelana: Food distribution creates stir

Rohit gets hit in nets, practice pitches on slower side

India & Kuwait elevate ties to strategic level; ink defence pact after PM Modi meets top Kuwaiti leaders

In Kuwait, PM Modi meets yoga practitioner, other influencers from Gulf country

Notorious gangster wanted in UAPA case arrested at Nepal border

Mandhana, Renuka blow away West Indies in first ODI

‘Condition critical’, say doctors as farmer leader Dallewal’s fast enters 27th day

Related Articles More

Rohit gets hit in nets, practice pitches on slower side

Mandhana, Renuka blow away West Indies in first ODI

Rohit Sharma should change his tactics, be more attacking batting at No. 6: Ravi Shastri

Joe Root returns to England’s ODI squad for India tour, Champions Trophy; Ahmed in T20Is

India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs to bag Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup

MUST WATCH

Tulunadu Daivaradane

Feeding Birds with Creative Paddy Art!

Areca Nut

HOTEL SRI DURGA BHAVANA

Harish Poonja


Latest Additions

Kannada Sahitya Sammelana: Food distribution creates stir

Rohit gets hit in nets, practice pitches on slower side

India & Kuwait elevate ties to strategic level; ink defence pact after PM Modi meets top Kuwaiti leaders

In Kuwait, PM Modi meets yoga practitioner, other influencers from Gulf country

Notorious gangster wanted in UAPA case arrested at Nepal border

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.