Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty kicked off their quest for the season-ending championship title with a nail-biting victory, showcasing tremendous grit. The world number two pair saved a match point to overcome China's formidable duo of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in their opening Group B encounter at the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou.
A Match of Two Halves: From Struggle to Dominance
The Indian pair did not have the ideal start, struggling to find their rhythm against the aggressive Chinese. They lost the first game comprehensively with a score of 12-21. Chirag Shetty later admitted to the pressure, stating they were not allowed to settle into the game initially.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second game. Despite being on the brink of defeat, Satwik and Chirag dug deep. They adopted a more aggressive approach, as planned, and clawed their way back into the contest. The conditions also played a part, with Satwik noting the shuttle speed became slower, to which they adjusted well. The game reached a tense climax, with Chirag delivering a crucial serve at a critical juncture to seal it 22-20 and force a decider.
Carrying Momentum into the Decisive Game
Riding the wave of confidence from their dramatic second-game escape, the Indian duo dominated the third game. They controlled the rallies and outplayed their opponents to win it 21-14, completing a remarkable turnaround. This victory sets a positive tone for their campaign in the prestigious tournament, where only the top eight pairs compete.
Group Dynamics and the Road to Semifinals
In the other Group B match, the second-seeded Malaysian pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik also fought back from a game down. They defeated Indonesian opponents Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri 22-24, 21-18, 21-19.
The tournament format sees the eight top-ranked teams split into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. Satwik and Chirag's next challenge is a clash against the Indonesian pair, Alfian and Fikri, on Thursday. A win in that match will guarantee the Indian duo a place in the semifinals, putting them in a strong position to challenge for the title.
This resilient performance underlines their status as one of the world's premier pairs and keeps India's hopes alive for a first-ever gold at the season finale.
