• By Manik Sharma
  • Fri, 12 Jan 2024 07:14 PM (IST)
  • Source:PTI
Add as a preferred

Malaysia Open Badminton: Indian badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty displayed a commanding performance as they secured a spot in the Malaysia Open Super 1000 tournament semifinals by defeating China's Ren Xiang Yu and He Ji Ting in straight games.

The world number 2 Indian pair, who clinched the Asian Games gold medal last year, asserted their dominance with a convincing 21-11, 21-8 victory over the 32nd-ranked Chinese duo in just 35 minutes. Satwik and Chirag showcased class during the rallies and exhibited proactive net play, leaving their opponents little room to counter.

Heading into their second successive semifinal, the second-seeded Indian duo is set to face either Korea's Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae or the third-seeded Malaysian pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.

ALSO READ: Andhra Pradesh: Kabaddi Match In Nandyal Turns Into Street Fight As Clash Broke Out During Local Tournament | Watch

Satwik and Chirag, who had a stellar 2023 season with six titles, demonstrated a near-perfect game in the quarterfinals. Their exchanges were swift, injecting pace into the rallies, making it a one-sided affair. The Indian duo maintained control from the start, leading 7-0 and eventually securing the first game comfortably.

Continuing their momentum into the second game, Satwik and Chirag secured an 11-4 lead at the interval. With a dominant performance, they swiftly closed out the match.

On the other hand, in the women's doubles quarterfinals, the Indian pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto faced a setback with a 15-21, 13-21 loss against Japan's Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi. The world number 24 Indian duo, who had previously stunned former world number 1 Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara, couldn't replicate their performance against the Japanese combination.

ALSO READ: Australian Open 2024: Sumit Nagal Defies Odds, Qualifies For Main Draw After AITA Controversy

Ponnappa and Crasto had enjoyed success at the Guwahati Masters Super 100, claiming the title, and reaching the finals in two more events in Lucknow and Odisha last month. However, their encounter with Iwanaga and Nakanishi resulted in their second loss to the world number 15 Japanese pair.