India Open 2024: Satwik-Chirag Duo Dominate Quarterfinals, Secure Semifinal Spot Alongside HS Prannoy

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy alongside HS Prannoy reached the semi-finals of the India Open 2024.

The quarterfinals day at the India Open Super 750 badminton tournament in New Delhi on January 19 (Friday) featured two exciting badminton matches, one showcasing the world number two duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty and the other highlighting men's singles player HS Prannoy. Both the Satwik-Chirag pair and Prannoy  successfully advanced to the semifinals.

Chirag-Satwik asserted their dominance with a commanding 21-7, 21-10 victory over the Danish pair of Kim Astrup and Anders Rasmussen. Their aggressive approach was evident from the outset, as they surged to an impressive 11-3 lead in the opening game. The former champions sustained their momentum, swiftly securing the first game in just 16 minutes, sending a clear statement of intent against the fifth-seeded opponents.

On the other hand, HS Prannoy faced a formidable challenge in Wang Tzu Wei from Chinese Taipei. Despite the tough competition, Prannoy exhibited remarkable resilience to clinch his maiden semi-final berth in the tournament. The hard-fought battle concluded with Prannoy securing a 21-11, 17-21, 21-18 victory, showcasing his skill and determination on the court.

‘Whoever Wins The Mental Battle Comes On Top’

After the game, Chirag Shetty commented on their victory against Kim Astrup and Anders Rasmussen, emphasising the mental aspect of the game. He highlighted the importance of winning the mental battle and disrupting the opponents' rhythm. “I think against them it is always a game where you are challenged skillfully but it's also mentally. Whoever wins the mental battle comes on top in the game. And I think today we did that quite well. We didn’t really get into their rhythm and I think we finished the fight in quite a convincing fashion,” stated Shetty as per PTI.

Looking ahead, in the upcoming semifinals, HS Prannoy will face China's sixth seed Shi Yi Qi as he aims to reach his first finals of the year. Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will take on Malaysians Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Tik in their quest for a spot in the final.