Korea Open 2023: Satwik-Chirag breeze through to semi-finals

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy also recorded the fastest smash of the tournament in the same match.

India's top ranked men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty beat fifth seed Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi in straight games (21-14, 21-17) in Korea Open 2023. With this win, satwik progressed to the semi-finals and are the only Indians left in the tournament.

The WR-3 pair started the match on a bright note winning the opening game 21-14) The Japanese pair had no answers in the opener and were always on the back foot. At 12-6, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy recorded the fastest smash of the tournament - 500 kmph. He was earlier awarded the Guinness World Record for the fastest smash in badminton - 565 kmph under controlled environment in Japan.

Hoki/Kobayashi came back strongly in the following game and held on to a small lead, but the Satwik-Chirag, crowned Asian champions earlier in the year, kept pushing and took a two-point lead in the mid-game interval.

Post the mid-game break, Satwik-Chirag scored quick points to stretch their lead to five points at 14-9, but with experience but their side, the Japanese fifth seed reduced the deficit and levelled the game at 16-16 looking set for a comeback.

In the end, Satwik and Chirag scored five out of the last six points to end the match in style. Hoki/Kobayashi committed too many unforced errors which went in the favour of the opposition. After a poor opening game, they made a good comeback which didn't prove to be enough in the end.

Up next, the Indian pair is slated to take on number two seed from China Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang for a place in the final. The Chinese pair have met Satwik-Chirag twice previously and got better of the Indians on both occasions.

India's performance on day 4 of Korea Open 2023

Men's Doubles (Quarter-finals)

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty beat Takuro Hoki /Yugo Kobayashi (21-14, 21-17)