In a spectacular display of skill and determination, star Indian shuttlers Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured their spot in the semifinals of the Malaysia Open Super 1000 tournament, marking their second consecutive successful run in the competition. The dynamic duo showcased their prowess on Friday by convincingly defeating China’s Ren Xiang Yu and He Ji Ting in straight games.
Ranked as the world number 2, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who clinched the Asian Games gold medal last year, demonstrated exceptional control during the rallies. Their proactive play at the net contributed to a dominant 21-11 21-8 victory over the world number 32 Chinese pair in just 35 minutes.
The Indian duo’s journey to the semifinals sets the stage for an intriguing matchup against either Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae or the third-seeded Malaysian pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
About Malaysia Open Super 1000 Tournament:
On the women’s doubles front, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto faced a tough challenge in the quarterfinals against Japan’s Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi. Despite their earlier stunning victory over former world no. 1 Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara, the world no. 24 Indian pair succumbed to a 15-21 13-21 defeat in a 39-minute match.
This loss marks the second time that Ponnappa and Crasto have been bested by the world no. 15 Japanese duo, following their narrow defeat in the finals of the Syed Modi International Super 300 in Lucknow last month.
Nevertheless, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto have been on an impressive run, claiming the Guwahati Masters Super 100 title and reaching the finals in two more events in Lucknow and Odisha last month.
As the badminton action unfolds in Kuala Lumpur, Indian fans eagerly await the next chapter in the journey of their talented shuttlers, who continue to make their mark on the international stage. The upcoming semifinal clash promises to be a thrilling encounter, and supporters will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty as they strive for further success in the Malaysia Open Super 1000 tournament.
