An elated Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, after confirming a maiden World Championships medal on Friday, said that this year has been a 'dream' for him and his doubles partner Chirag Shetty and the duo want to finish the tournament on a 'big' note in Tokyo on Friday, August 26. The world number 7 has been sensational in 2022, winning the super 500 India Open title in January before India's epic Thomas Cup campaign and their maiden Commonwealth Games gold earlier in August 2022.
"It has been a dream for us, starting with the India Open, the Thomas Cup and then the Commonwealth Games gold. As I speak, I am feeling so happy and excited," Satwik said after assuring the pair of at least a bronze.
Satwik and Chirag became the first Indian pair to win a medal in the men's doubles competition at the World Championships after stunning favourites and defending champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi 24-22, 15-21, 21-14 in the quarterfinals. "It is a big win for us. We haven't played them in a long time. They are the current world champions and we badly wanted to play against them but we are always up against the top seeds Kevin (Sukamuljo) and (Marcus) Gideon in tournaments," Satwik said.
The Indian pair will meet sixth-seeded Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia in the semifinals. Satwik and Chirag had lost to them during the finals of the mixed team event at CWG in Birmingham.
"Here we want to finish it on a big note, not just finish in the semifinals but go further. Tomorrow, it will be a revenge match," Satwik said.
Asked where the medal ranks amid their achievements, Chirag said, "We haven't finished the tournament and we want to go all the way but Thomas Cup is up there at the top. If we win it here, it will be at par with the Thomas Cup. We controlled the shuttle a lot better in the third game. In the second game, we knew we were on the good side but we were a bit complacent."
'Would have loved podium': HS Prannoy
Crestfallen after losing in the men's singles quarterfinals, HS Prannoy said he needs to be a notch better to win big titles.
"It is a good tournament but would have loved to be on the podium. But some days you have to work harder. I have been decent the last few months with a few quarterfinals and semifinals. But if I have to win tournaments, I have to be one notch better than what I am right now," he said.
Prannoy had struck the first blow by winning the opening game but he squandered the opportunity as unseeded Chinese Zhao Jun Peng emerged victorious 19-21 21-6 21-18 in a thrilling contest.
"I guess the third game start was crucial. In the first 11, I had to have a good lead but it became way too close for him to play free from the better side. I could have played better from the start. He started to play better from the second game and third game he moved quickly and got the shuttle high," he said, analysing the game.
