The India Open Super 750 badminton tournament witnessed a mix of highs and lows for Indian badminton fans. While PV Sindhu’s spirited effort ended in a tough defeat, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty kept the nation’s hopes alive with a dominant display, securing a place in the semifinals.
Satwik-Chirag March On
The seventh-seeded Indian duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, delivered an emphatic performance against Korea’s Jin Yong and Kang Min Hyuk, winning 21-10, 21-17 in just 41 minutes. The victory marked their third consecutive semifinal appearance on the tour, following strong showings at the China Masters and Malaysia Super 1000 last year.
“Right from the word go, we were all guns blazing. That’s what we wanted to do because if we slow down, they can capitalize on it.” – Chirag Shetty
They will now face the Malaysian third-seeded pair, Sze Fei Goh and Nur Izzuddin, in the semifinals.
Match Highlights:
- First Game: The Indians dominated from the start, leading 11-3 at the break. Their aggressive play left the Koreans struggling, and a powerful smash from Satwik sealed the first game.
- Second Game: The Koreans put up a stronger fight, briefly leading 4-3, but Satwik-Chirag regained control, securing the match with a final net error from their opponents.
Sindhu Falls Short Despite Fighting Spirit
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu suffered a 9-21, 21-19, 17-21 defeat against Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in a thrilling 62-minute quarterfinal match.
“It is sad that I lost in the third set after fighting so hard. But that’s how the game is—I need to come back stronger.” – PV Sindhu
Match Analysis:
- First Game: Tunjung dominated with sharp drops and precise strokes, racing to an 11-4 lead before closing it out comfortably.
- Second Game: Sindhu fought back, overcoming an early deficit to take the game 21-19.
- Decider: The intense battle saw both players exchange long rallies, but Tunjung managed to pull ahead at the crucial moments, sealing the victory.
Kiran George’s Maiden Super 750 Quarterfinal Finish
India’s Kiran George, the last hope in men’s singles, also bowed out after a 13-21, 19-21 loss to China’s Hong Yang Weng. Despite the defeat, reaching his first Super 750 quarterfinal is a positive takeaway as he looks forward to upcoming tournaments.
Other Key Results
Women’s Singles:
- An Se Young (South Korea) bt. Yeo Jia Min (Singapore) 21-11, 21-12
- Pornpawee Chochuwong (Thailand) bt. Han Yue (China) 21-17, 21-16
Men’s Singles:
- Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) bt. Loh Kean Yew (Singapore) 21-19, 13-21, 21-8
Looking Ahead
With Satwik-Chirag carrying India’s hopes in the semifinals, fans will be eager to see if they can continue their stellar run and clinch another title. Meanwhile, Sindhu and Kiran George will look to bounce back stronger in the upcoming tournaments.
Stay tuned for more updates on the India Open Super 750!
