Asian Games 2023 Badminton: Satwik-Chirag advances to pre-quarters, Kidambi Srikanth also wins

Two Indian doubles pairs withdrew from the tournament with injuries.

After the highs of a historic team silver, the Indian shuttlers made a near perfect start to the individual events at the Asian Games 2023. Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the round of 32 after a win in straight games, while World No. 3 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty and mixed doubles duo Krishna Prasad & Tanisha Crasto progressed to the pre-quarterfinals stage in their respective events.

On Day 9 of the Asian Games 2023, Kidambi Srikanth defeated Vietnam's Le Duc Phat, ranked 81st in the world, in straight games with a score of 21-10, 21-9 in the round of 64. Srikanth, a former world No. 1 and currently ranked 21st, showcased his dominance throughout the match, controlling the net. With some powerful smashes, he secured the victory, in just 29 minutes.

In the other men's singles results, HS Prannoy, the World Championship bronze medallist, received a bye in the round of 64, due to an injury. Srikanth and Prannoy are set to compete in their respective round of 32 matches, with Srikanth facing Yungyu Lee of the Republic of Korea and Prannoy playing against Mongolia's Batdavaa Munkhbat.

In the mixed doubles match, Krishna Prasad and Tanisha Crasto progressed to the round of 16 by defeating their opponents Lok Chong Leong/Ng Weng Chi of Macao in straight games with a score of 21-18, 21-14.

India's doubles duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured a victory against Hong Kong opponents in the round of 32, with a score of 21-11, 21-16. They will face an Indonesian pair in the pre-quarterfinals.

Satwik and Chirag maintained dominance throughout the match with great intensity and precision, executing their shots with accuracy and power. Through constant attacking play the Indian duo maintained the pressure forcing errors from the opponents.

Unfortunately, injuries affected the progress of the two Indian doubles pairs. MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila had to withdraw from their match against Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi, while Sikki Reddy and Rohan Kapoor retired from their contest against Malaysian pair Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Lai Jemie.

The two-time Olympic medalist, PV Sindhu, is set to begin her women's singles campaign at the Asian Games 2023, facing Chinese Taipei's Hsu Wen-chi on Tuesday.