Malaysia Open 2024: Satwik-Chirag creates history, becomes first Indian to reach final

The Duo defeated South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae.

India’s star men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty scripted history by becoming the first Indians in any discipline to enter the final of the Malaysia Open 2024 Super 1000 tournament in an Open Era on Saturday.

The World No. 2 duo, who had won the Asian Games gold medal in 2023, beating the Republic of Korea’s Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho 21-18, 21-16, staged a remarkable comeback to beat South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae 21-18, 22-20 in a thrilling semifinal in Malaysia Open.

Satwik and Chirag were trailing 11-18 in the second game, but they refused to give up and reeled off nine consecutive points to level the score at 20-20. They then saved a game point and converted their second match point to seal the victory.

The Duo earlier brushed aside He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu of China in the Quarter Finals 21-11, 21-8 in 35 minutes.

Satwik and Chirag have been in sensational form since 2023, when they won six titles, including the Asian Games Gold Medal. They also became the first Indian doubles pair to achieve the World No. 1 ranking in October 2023.

The duo, who are coached by former Danish star Mathias Boe, have been praised for their aggressive and attacking style of play, as well as their coordination and chemistry on the court.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were the only Indian shuttlers to reach the semifinals of the Malaysia Open Super 1000 tournament, while the rest of their compatriots failed to make an impact. HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen lost in the first round of the men’s singles, while Kidambi Srikanth bowed out in the second round. Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto put up a good fight in the women’s doubles, but could not get past the Japanese pair of R Iwanaga and K Nakanishi in the quarterfinals.

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