India’s star men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, triumphed at the Thailand Open Super 500 by defeating China’s Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi in the final on Sunday. The Indian duo, ranked third in the world, secured a comfortable 21-15, 21-15 victory over their 29th-ranked opponents in just 46 minutes. This win is a significant boost for the pair as they prepare for the Paris Olympics.
Satwik and Chirag’s special bond
Satwik and Chirag have a special connection with Bangkok as Chirag mentioned after the match. “Bangkok has always been special for us. We won our first Super Series title back in 2019 here and also the Thomas Cup, so it has been a special place and so happy to be here,” he said.
This victory marks their second title of the season. Earlier, they won the French Open Super 750 in March. The pair also performed well at other tournaments, finishing as runners-up at the Malaysia Super 1000 and India Super 750.
Challenges and triumphs
However, the journey hasn’t been entirely smooth for Satwik and Chirag. They faced challenges in recent tournaments, losing in the second round at the All-England Championships and missing the Asia Championships due to an injury to Satwik. Additionally, their Thomas Cup campaign was less successful, as they lost a few close matches to top-ranked pairs.
This win in Thailand is a significant achievement for Satwik and Chirag, coming at a crucial time in their careers. It not only adds another title to their list but also boosts their confidence as they look forward to the upcoming Paris Olympics. The Indian badminton pair continues to make their country proud with their impressive performances on the international stage.