The Indian badminton duo of Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty once again showcased their determination and exceptional skill. Despite losing the first game in a fiercely contested match against a b Indonesian pair, they mounted a b comeback to secure a victory.
Sports News: While Indian badminton fans were disappointed by the defeats of PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy in the Singapore Open Badminton Tournament 2025, the stellar performance and victory of Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in the men's doubles category has kept India's hopes alive. The Indian star doubles pair defeated the seventh-seeded Indonesian pair of Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani in a thrilling match 19-21, 21-16, 21-19 on Thursday to advance to the quarter-finals. The match lasted one hour and 14 minutes, with a fierce battle for every point.
A Strong Comeback After Losing the First Game
After losing the first game, Satwik and Chirag changed their strategy, taking control of the court and winning the second game 21-16, taking the match to a decider. The third game was also closely fought, but the Indian pair's composure and coordination in crucial moments secured them a 21-19 victory.
With this win, the Indian pair secured their place in the quarter-finals of the tournament, where they will now face the second-seeded Malaysian pair of Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin. This match will be another significant test for the Indians, but their comeback suggests they will pose a b challenge to the Malaysian pair.
Sindhu's Fighting Spirit, but Unable to Avoid Defeat
Meanwhile, India received a setback in the women's singles when two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu lost to Chinese star Chen Yufei, bowing out of the tournament. Sindhu, currently ranked 17th in the world, put up a b fight against Chen in the second round but couldn't clinch the match despite taking a lead in the final game.
The Chinese player easily won the first game 21-9, but Sindhu made a b comeback in the second game, taking a 19-12 lead and winning 21-18. In the third game, Sindhu's rhythm faltered slightly, and Chen, with her powerful smashes and controlled drop shots, defeated Sindhu 21-16.
HS Prannoy Also Disappointed, Eliminated by French Player
In the men's singles, HS Prannoy, who also had high expectations, lost to France's Christo Popov 16-21, 14-21. Prannoy struggled throughout the match, but Popov's aggressive strategy and constant pressure forced him into errors. Prannoy's defeat weakened India's singles challenge, as Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth had already been eliminated from the competition.
Chirag-Satwik Show Renewed Energy, Giving India Doubles Hope
While India faced disappointment in the singles matches, the doubles pair of Satwik and Chirag emerged as a bright spot. This pair has long been considered a b medal contender for India, and they once again proved that their game shines on the big stage. The pair had faced some difficulties in recent weeks due to injuries and fitness issues, but their comeback at the Singapore Open has been confident.
All eyes are now on the quarter-final match, where Satwik and Chirag will face the Malaysian challenge. If they overcome this hurdle, India's chances of a medal in the tournament will significantly improve.
