Edited by Deepali Verma
Star Indian duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and HS Prannoy, recorded incredible victories to enter the semi-finals of the India Open 2024.
Chirag-Satwik put forth a dominating 21-7, 21-10 victory against Kim Astrup and Anders Rasmussen of Denmark. On the other hand, Prannoy had to put up a fight to secure his maiden semi-final berth in the tournament by defeating Wang Tzu Wei of Chinese Taipei in a 21-11, 17-21, 21-18 win.
Going on all attack, Chirag-Satwik commenced the opening game with a statement of intent by amassing a quick 11-3 lead. The former champions tried to establish the same momentum against the fifth seed to claim the first game in a mere 16-minute span.
Prior to this match, the Danish duo had registered two consecutive victories against Chirag-Satwik. But, the World No.2 pair ended that run by scoring eight consecutive points in the second game to seal the victory and showcase a highly anticipated clash with former World Champions Soh Wooi Yik and Aaron Chia of Malaysia.
Discussing the victory, Chirag Shetty shared, “Against Kim and Anders, the game is where you are challenged both skillfully and mentally. The one who wins the mental battle comes out on top and today we managed that quite well. We generally don’t play such mind games, however today we made sure that we only receive not play at their rhythm. We are really grateful considering the way we played and we want to hold the same momentum for tomorrow as well and give 100%.”
The World Championships 2023 bronze medallist Prannoy made a solid start against his Taiwanese opponent by winning a 26-point rally and establishing a 13-4 lead in the first game. Despite a brief recovery from Wang, the eighth seed closed out the game quite effortlessly.
The second game witnessed Wang taking a lead of 13-6, and though Prannoy tried to close the narrow gap, the 28-year-old held on to force to stand on a tie-breaker.
Not much separated the two players in an intense third game. Having the score tied at 16-16, Prannoy managed a two-point lead and ultimately claimed victory in an hour and 17 minutes to hand Wang his fourth quarter final exit at the tournament.
“It is always tough to play against somebody like Wang Tzu Wei, who is exceptionally good along the net and attacks. It was very significant to get that first game because he is somebody who gets going right from the beginning. The second game didn’t go well but I take pride in what I could do in the third game to fight back,” elaborated HS Prannoy after his victory.
The World No.9 will come face-to-face sixth-seeded Shi Yu Qui of China in the final four.
In the beginning of the day, Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu continued his stunning run in the tournament as he emerged victorious over Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Anthony Ginting of Indonesia with a thrilling 21-17, 18-21, 21-13 victory. The 27-year-old continued to stack on his advantage, ultimately sealing the victory to ensure a semi-final tie against second seed Kodai Naraoka of Japan.
Glancing at the women’s singles, second seed An-Se Young’s title defence came saw an unfortunate end as she had to retire owing to an injury, handing Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min her first semi-final berth at the India Open.
Jia Min will be facing Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei, who prevailed against two-time World Championships bronze medallist He Bing Jiao of China with a comfortable 21-12, 21-12 victory.
Elsewhere, former World Champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand clinched a 21-17, 15-21, 27-25 victory over defending champions Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino of Japan.
