China Open 2023: Satwik-Chirag's shocking Round of 32 elimination marks the end of India's challenge.
The 13th-seeded Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana defeated India's top doubles team, Satwik-Chirag, in the round of 32 of the China Open on Wednesday, September 6. With the departure of the pair, the Indian challenge at the contest was over.
Ankush Pandey
The Indian men's doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, better known as Satwik-Chirag, unexpectedly withdrew from the China Open 2023 on September 6, 2023. Second-seeded in the competition, the team fell to Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana of Indonesia in the opening round.
The game was a nail-biter that lasted 68 minutes, with the Indonesian side winning 17-21, 21-11, 17-21. Satwik-Chirag fought valiantly throughout the game, even managing to save three match points. They had trouble fending off the challenge from Fikri and Maulana, who had a steady advantage throughout the game.
Despite closing the gap to 12-13 in the decisive game, Satwik-Chirag was unable to win the match as they fell behind 13-16 and then 14-18. Due to losses by N. Sikki Reddy and Rohan Kapoor, as well as other Indian shuttlers, in the opening round of the China Open Super 1000, India's participation was over. Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei of Malaysia defeated Reddy and Kapoor in their mixed doubles first-round match with scores of 15-21 and 16-21.
Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and Priyanshu Rajawat have already quit the competition after suffering defeats on September 5 in the opening round. Sen was defeated by Anders Antonsen, but Prannoy made a brave effort.
Shesar Hiren Rhustavito swept Rajawat in three games on Tuesday.
Given their strong performance in prior competitions, Satwik-Chirag's elimination was especially disheartening. They were anticipated to do well in the China Open considering they had won three championships on the BWF World Tour this year. Their defeat against the 13th-seeded Indonesian duo was a major shock, ending their season early.
