The Indian duo, which won the 2022 edition, had finished second best at the Malaysia Super 1000 last week as well
New Delhi: In a tense final, home favourites Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty went down against world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Sang Jae at India Open, settling for their second successive runners-up finish, here on Sunday, a. PTI report in The Tribbune, Chandigarh, says
Asian Games champions Satwik and Chirag, lost 21-15 11-21 18-21 to Kang and Seo after the two pairs fought for 65 minutes in what was some breath-taking badminton at the KD Jadhav Indoor stadium here.
The Indian duo, which won the 2022 edition, had finished second best at the Malaysia Super 1000 last week as well.
Satwik and Chirag always had tough matches against their Korean rivals though they boasted a 4-1 head-to-head count in five meetings coming into the match with the latest being at the Malaysia Open last week.
The Indian played played some breath-taking rallies, displaying amazing reflexes as they kept the Korean pair on their toes with some relentless hitting in the opening game.
Chirag dazzled in the front court with some brilliant net interceptions as the duo led 11-9 and soon jumped to 19-13 after the break before pocketing the game when the Koreans netted a shot.
The Koreans defended well, while India’s attack seemed to lose a bit of sting as Kang and Seo grabbed a 10-point advantage at 15-5.
Kang stepped up with his serve and showed good variations. The Koreans held 10 game points and they converted in the second chance to roar back into the contest.
In the decider, the Koreans kept a high tempo with Kang flying across the front court as they lead 9-5. The Koreans didn’t allow the Indians to play their attacking game.
After the change of sides, Satwik stepped up at the front court as the momentum seemed to change in India’s favour with the Korean committing a service error and then finding the net.
Tai Tzu, Shi Yu Qi win women’s and men’s singles titles
An inspired Tai Tzu Ying secured her first women’s singles India Open title with a dominating 21-16 21-12 win over Chen Yu Fei, while world no. 2 Shi Yu Qi outwitted giant-killer Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong 23-21 21-17 in a tense battle to reclaim the men’s singles crown.
The former world number one from Chinese Taipei, who is set to retire after this season, used her cross court smashes and delightful drops to completely outplay her Chinese rival 21-16 21-12 in the summit clash which was a rematch of the Tokyo Olympic final.
On that evening, the Chinese had the last laugh but Tai Tzu on Sunday showed why she is revered as one of the greatest players of the game with a masterclass performance at the KD Jadhav Indoor stadium here.
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