Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty delivered a commanding performance to defeat South Korea’s Yong Jin and Kang Min Hyuk in straight sets, 21-10, 21-17. The duo, stuck to their game plan and ensured they stayed in control throughout the match.
From the very first serve, Satwik and Chirag brought relentless energy to the court. Chirag reflected on their approach after the match, emphasizing their intent to dominate early. “Right from the get-go, we were all guns blazing. That’s what we wanted to do. As you could see in the end, if we were a bit slow, they could capitalize by maneuvering the shuttle around. We wanted to prevent them from getting back into the game. I’m happy we stuck to the plan until the end.”
Their strategy of putting immediate pressure on the opponents paid dividends, especially in the opening game, where they built a strong lead and maintained it with ease. “Our strongest point is putting them under pressure right from the word go, and that’s what we did,” Chirag added.
The second game, however, saw the South Korean pair stage a comeback, leveling the score at 16-16. Despite this, the Indian duo remained unfazed. Satwik explained their mindset during the critical phase. “We were comfortable even though it was getting close. We knew that if we kept the pressure on, they wouldn’t sustain it. It was our mistakes in the last three points that brought them close. But there was no tension. We were under control, taking it one point at a time.”
Satwik credited their ability to stay positive and support each other for their composure in tight moments. “Even when I was down, Chirag was controlling the game. I was confident in every stroke, believing we’d score a point. That made a difference,” he said.
Entering the match, Satwik and Chirag were determined to close it out in two sets. Chirag confirmed their plan, stating, “We intended to finish in two games. But if it went to a third, we would be ready, being fit enough to play a three-setter. We’ve managed that in the last two matches, but we preferred to finish in two games, which we did.”
The victory also highlighted the duo’s technical improvements, especially in Satwik’s playstyle. A focus on varying his shots, influenced by coach Tan Kim Her, proved instrumental. “When Tan coach came to India, he told me: ‘Get back to being the old Satwik. You are just simply lifting all the time, you are not confident enough.’ I started working on that, and now I have a lot of confidence when the shuttle comes to me low,” Satwik said, explaining how he now has multiple shot options to keep opponents guessing.
Their collaboration with coaches Manu Atri and Sumeeth Reddy has also strengthened their gameplay. Satwik acknowledged their input, saying, “Seniors like them know our game well and provide insights. They emphasized focusing on the front court, and it’s easier to communicate with someone local. It feels good to have that connection.”
With this victory, Satwik and Chirag have found their way into semifinals and will play against the Malaysian duo of Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin on Friday
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