Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched a spectacular victory in their final group-stage match in the men's doubles at the Paris Olympics, on July 30 (Tuesday). They defeated Indonesia’s Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Fajar Alfian in straight sets (21-13, 21-13) to win the match in an absolutely dominant fashion topping their group prior to the quarter-finals. The game at La Chapelle Arena’s Court 3 lasted for just 40 minutes.
Sat-Chi stuns Indonesia duo
Indonesia managed to fight much more than the score would show. A formidable challenge from the world No. 6 Indonesian pair was put up, but the Sat-Chi duo was able to tackle it, carrying their winning momentum into the quarter-final. The Indian pair led the first game 11-8 before intensifying their play. Satwik's powerful smash at the end of the first game highlighted their aggressive approach and the Indonesians’ occasional lapses, which cost them the game eventually.
In the second game, Sat-Chi once again led 11-8 at the break. They quickly built a 14-8 lead but faced a stronger push from their opponents. The Indonesians played more strategically with cross-court drops and powerful flat drives, reflecting the high skill level of both teams. Despite losing four consecutive points from 14-8, the Indians raised their game and finished with another 21-13 scoreline.
The difference between the two pairs was the consistency. While Sat-Chi was able to consistently smash and serve, the Indonesian pair lacked consistency. The quality of the returns also made a difference. The Indian pair effectively placed their shots in difficult areas, while the Indonesian duo struggled with their consistency throughout the match.
Earlier, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty's group-stage match was cancelled after their opponent's withdrawal due to injury. The world No. 3 doubles pair (Sat-Chi) were slated to take on Germany's Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seide in their second group game at the Paris Olympics. However, the latter withdrew from the draw on Tuesday after Lamsfuss faced a knee injury. With this victory, Sat-Chi finished the group stage with a perfect record of three wins out of three matches. They now await the quarterfinal draw to determine their next opponents.
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