China Masters: Chirag-Satwik pair in semi-finals

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Shenzhen, China). Asian Games gold medalist pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty entered the men’s doubles semi-finals with a straight games win over Indonesia’s Leo Roly Carnando and Daniel Marthin at the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament here on Friday.

The top seeded Indian pair defeated World No. 13 Indonesian pair with the score of 21-16, 21-14 in 46 minutes.

Satwik and Chirag will now face the winner of the other quarterfinal match between the two Chinese pairs – He Ji Ting and Ren Jiang Yu and eighth seeds Liu Yu Chen and Ou Xuan Yi.

Earlier in the tournament, the pair had reached the quarterfinals by defeating Japan’s Akira Koga-Taichi Saito 21-15, 21-16.

The former world No. 1 Indian combination displayed excellent coordination by changing positions regularly and with their sharp attack, making things difficult for their rivals from Indonesia, who wilted under pressure.

Both partners fought tooth and nail to get the match off to a level start. However, the Indian combination leveled the score at 14-14 after immediately gaining control of the game with a barrage of aggressive shots.

Thanks to some intelligent decisions from Chirag, they soon went 19-16 ahead and the Mumbaikar once again showed his aggressive intent by coming into the front court after serving to wrap up the match with a quick return.

At halftime, the Indians led 11–6 thanks to strong hitting.

The Indians were determined from the beginning and the Indonesians were unable to counter their attack. Both quickly moved ahead to 17-10. Next, Marthin scored a pinpoint smash and began the longest rally of the match – 48 shots.

The Indians took a three-point lead thanks to a lucky net cord and Marthin found the net to help them earn seven match points.

After wasting one, Satwik and Chirag won a video referral and secured their place in the final four.

–IANS

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