The first point defined the match. To leave the first serve of the match so confidently speaks of a state of mind. It was yet again on display at 10-13 in the second game. Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik had started to take control and the Indian pair looked somewhat on the back foot half way into the second game. That’s when the burst came. In exactly a minute and 10 seconds when a hit to the eye slowed the game down, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were back on even terms. And thereafter, it was a canter.
Relentless with their attacks and solid in defence, the Indians put on a display few could match. As Pullela Gopichand said soon after the match was over, “I have said this to you earlier also and I will repeat myself – if Satwik and Chirag are playing at their best, there are very few who can beat them. They have the game. If you see, their defending is a lot better and they can be relentless in attack. They are powerful boys and can overpower any opponent. All they need to do is stay fit and focussed and all things are in their favour. What really works for them is their camaraderie on and off the court. They back each other all the time and you can see the results now. Without doubt, they will have a major chance at the Olympics.”
For them, the start of the year just couldn’t have been better. The final in the Super 1000 in Malaysia and the final again in the Super 750 in Delhi – they are justly back in pole position in the world rankings.
But in all this, they continue to stay humble. When the shuttle hit Soh in the eye, Chirag’s reaction said it all. In a very typical Indian way, he had his hands on his head as if to say he had made a bad mistake. He was immediately apologetic and both Chirag and Satwik showed why they are the sportspersons they are. A fantastic pair with their heart in the right place, these two have now started to write their own story. Much like Victor Axelsen for the men’s singles, they can be the dominant pair in doubles. From the early signs this year, they seem to be on course.
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Breaking 🚨
The Brothers Of Destruction Satwik and Chirag have defeated Chia/Soh of Malaysia and have booked a place in the #IndiaOpenSuper750 Final.
Listen to them speaking on the match, crowd support and more! @gargiraut15 reports from New Delhi. @Limca_Official… pic.twitter.com/QJHz7sgPZo
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) January 20, 2024
The first point defined the match. To leave the first serve of the match so confidently speaks of a state of mind. It was yet again on display at 10-13 in the second game. Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik had started to take control and the Indian pair looked somewhat on the back foot half way into the second game. That’s when the burst came. In exactly a minute and 10 seconds when a hit to the eye slowed the game down, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were back on even terms. And thereafter, it was a canter.
Relentless with their attacks and solid in defence, the Indians put on a display few could match. As Pullela Gopichand said soon after the match was over, “I have said this to you earlier also and I will repeat myself – if Satwik and Chirag are playing at their best, there are very few who can beat them. They have the game. If you see, their defending is a lot better and they can be relentless in attack. They are powerful boys and can overpower any opponent. All they need to do is stay fit and focussed and all things are in their favour. What really works for them is their camaraderie on and off the court. They back each other all the time and you can see the results now. Without doubt, they will have a major chance at the Olympics.”
For them, the start of the year just couldn’t have been better. The final in the Super 1000 in Malaysia and the final again in the Super 750 in Delhi – they are justly back in pole position in the world rankings.
But in all this, they continue to stay humble. When the shuttle hit Soh in the eye, Chirag’s reaction said it all. In a very typical Indian way, he had his hands on his head as if to say he had made a bad mistake. He was immediately apologetic and both Chirag and Satwik showed why they are the sportspersons they are. A fantastic pair with their heart in the right place, these two have now started to write their own story. Much like Victor Axelsen for the men’s singles, they can be the dominant pair in doubles. From the early signs this year, they seem to be on course.
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