India’s premier men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, started their journey at the Indonesia Masters Super 500 on a high, securing a comfortable straight-game win over Chen Zhi Ray and Lin Yu Chieh from Chinese Taipei. The match ended with a 21-16, 21-15 scoreline in favor of the Indian duo, who were in fine form following their stellar performances at the Malaysia Super 1000 and India Super 750.
Strong Start for Satwik-Chirag
Satwik and Chirag encountered a bit of resistance early on as the Taiwanese pair took a 4-point lead at 8-4. However, the Indian pair quickly regrouped, leveling the score at 8-8, and then found themselves locked at 14-14. After taking a slender lead at 17-16, the duo wrapped up the first game.
“Once we found our rhythm, things became easier. We stayed patient and focused on executing our strategies,” – Chirag Shetty.
In the second game, Satwik and Chirag showcased their dominance, surging to a 12-5 lead after the break and comfortably sealing the victory.
Women’s Doubles: Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa Impress
The World No. 19 women’s doubles pair of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa also made an impact on the opening day, registering a commanding 21-6, 21-14 win against the Thai pair Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn and Sukitta Suwachai. The duo, fresh from their win at the Guwahati Masters Super 100, will now face Pei Kee Go and Mei Xing Teoh from Malaysia in their next match.
Men’s Singles: Ayush Shetty Advances
In the men’s singles qualifiers, Ayush Shetty, who earned a bronze medal at the 2023 World Junior Championships, delivered an excellent performance against compatriot Kidambi Srikanth, winning 21-7, 21-15. Ayush will now face the top-seed Shi Yu Qi of China in the main draw.
Tanya Hemanth’s Resilience
Tanya Hemanth fought hard to overcome Chinese Taipei’s Tung Ciou-Tong in a tense three-game match, winning 16-21, 21-17, 21-15. Tanya displayed impressive composure, and as she heads into the next round, she will face the former World Champion Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand.
“It was a tough match, but I stayed composed and played each point with confidence,” – Tanya Hemanth.
What’s Next for the Indian Team?
Here’s a quick look at the upcoming matches for the Indian players:
Men’s Doubles:
- Satwik and Chirag will face the winners of the match between Indonesia’s Raymond Inra & Patra Harapan Rindorindo and Thailand’s Kittinupong Kedren & Dechapol Puavaranukroh.
Women’s Doubles:
- Ashwini and Tanisha are set to meet Pei Kee Go and Mei Xing Teoh of Malaysia in the next round.
Men’s Singles:
- Ayush Shetty will take on the top-seed Shi Yu Qi from China in the main draw.
Women’s Singles:
- Tanya Hemanth will battle it out against Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand.
With a dominant start in both singles and doubles, the Indian team is well-positioned to make a significant impact at the Indonesia Masters Super 500. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next round of matches, where the players will look to continue their winning streak.