Paris Olympics 2024: Satwik-Chirag Reach Quarter Finals, Defeats Top Indonesian Pair

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty delivered a masterclass to defeat Indonesia's top pair in straight games, finishing unbeaten in Group C and advancing to the Paris 2024 quarter-finals.

New Delhi: Indian badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty ed another masterclass, as the duo secured victory in their final group-stage match in the men’s double competition in the Paris Olympics 2024 on Tuesday, July 30. The duo showcased their aggressive approach to defeat Indonesia’s Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Fajar Alfian in straight games in the La Chapelle Arena’s court 3.

It took just 40 minutes for Satwik-Chirag to win the match by 21-13, 21-13 margin and now have qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition.

The scorecard won’t be able to reflect the level of intensity of the game where Sat-Chi had to work really hard in the Paris to smash the world no. 6 Indonesian Pair. Sat-Chi raised the level of intensity once they got lead in the first of the opening game.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s lightning fast smash granted the final point to the Indian duo. Satwik, who is famous for his muscular strength in the games.

The second game was similar to the first one, with the duo leading 11-8 at the break. The duo got success once again in getting an early lead in the second half of the game, pulling away to a 14-lead.

The Indonesians tested the Indian duo more effectively in the second half of the game, utilizing cross-court drops and powerful flat drives to exploit gaps when the Indians were out of position. This period of play showcased the skills of both teams, with a focus on net play and reflexes.

Despite losing four straight points from a 14-8 lead, Sat-Chi regained their form and secured the match with a 21-13 victory. The key difference lay in the quality of returns: Sat-Chi consistently placed their shots in challenging spots, whereas the Indonesian pair struggled to maintain their top performance throughout the match.

With this win, Sat-Chi completed a perfect record of three wins in Group C and will now await the quarter-final draw to determine their next opponents.