Tokyo: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty began a memorable campaign on Saturday with a historic bronze medal in the men’s doubles event of the World Championships after losing to Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wu Yik in the semi-finals on Saturday. The world number 7 Indian pair, who won gold in men’s doubles at the Commonwealth Games earlier this month, lost the advantage of the first game to beat Olympic bronze medalists 22-20, 18-21, 16-21 in a vibratory game. Defeated. The 77-minute clash ended the Indian challenge in the prestigious tournament.
It was the sixth consecutive loss against the world number six pair of Satwik and Chirag, who had lost to the same combination in the mixed team final of the Commonwealth Games earlier this month. Despite the defeat, it was a credible performance from Satwik and Chirag to emerge as the first Indian pair to win a men’s doubles medal in the showpiece.
It also ensured that India continued to make a comeback with medals from the World Championships since 2011, the year the country won its first doubles medal with the women’s pairing of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa. In the semifinal clash, Chirag looked a bit in color with his serve and defense while Satwik tried his best to make up for it, but in the end the Malaysian proved a bit quicker and more subtle in his strokeplay in a match. To the wire
1__th medal for __ from MD section
2__th medal from doubles pair of ___
1__3__th medal for ___ #world Championshipsproud of you @satwiksairaj And @shettychirag04 ,#BWFWorldChampionships2022#BWFWorldChampionships#bwc2022#tokyo2022#IndiaontheRise#badminton pic.twitter.com/4DfmWxjYXI— Bai Media (@BAI_Media) August 27, 2022
Coming into the match with a 0-5 face-to-face record, the Indians showed caution and did not let their opponents play their game. He used smashes wisely to quickly take an 11-5 lead at interval. Leading 11-7, Satwik showed excellent defense in a fast-paced rally that ended with the Malaysian long hitting.
The Malaysians came back after the break, closed at 11-12 and the Indians made their mark a few times. They soon leveled at 16-16 and Soh made a powerful smash and then took an 18-17 lead.
However, Satwik and Chirag went back to lead 19-18 with Aaron sending one over the net and then Chirag seizing an opportunity. Another attacking rally took India one point away but Chirag stumbled in the net shot as it was 20-20. Chirag earned another game point and this time Aaron missed the line to hand the opening game to the Indians.
After switching sides, Aaron and Soh emerged as the better players as Chirag seemed a bit buried. The Indian still managed to breath his opponent’s neck before a Chirag’s mistake gave the Malaysian a slim one point advantage at the break.
Playing below tape level, Chirag found the net twice, while another went long as Malaysia established a decisive 16-11 lead. A solid serve return from Soh cost him three game points.
They lost one but with Chirag losing the racquet strings, Satwik could not negotiate the Malaysian attack as the match was tied at 1-1. The decider was a tough affair as Satwik and Chirag tried to attack Soh, but Chirag’s wide saw the Malaysian take a 5-3 lead at one point.
A push and block strategy from Satwik saw India manage a 6-5 lead as Chirag was fully charged. However, Malaysia took a 10-8 lead before taking a one-point cushion in the final mid-game interval. After the break, Aaron and Soh dominated the fast-paced rallies to lead 13-11, but Satwik kept it close with his trademark blazing smash.
Chirag produced a backhand whip near the net and made it 13-14, before a foul decision from Soh at the baseline saw the Indians hold the equation to 15-16. However, Malaysia soon backfired and once Chirag put another on the net, Haroon and Soh had four match points.
The competition ended with Satwik going to the net and returning to service.