BWF World Championships: Satwik and Chirag sizzle on dream day for Indian shuttlers

It was a dream day for India at the BWF World Championships, with three entries marching into the quarterfinals and moving a step closer to medals at the Adidas Arena in Paris.

First, PV Sindhu rolled back the years with a vintage display of aggressive badminton, stunning second seed Wang Zhi Yi of China. Then, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto scripted a big upset, toppling the fifth seeds Tang Chun Man and Ying Suet of Hong Kong China in mixed doubles.

Capping off the day, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty delivered a sensational comeback in men’s doubles, edging past sixth seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China 19-21, 21-15, 21-17 in a gritty one-hour-eight-minute battle.

For Chinese shuttlers, it was a day to forget: Sindhu dismantled one of the season’s most consistent performers, and soon after, Satwik and Chirag—seeded ninth—outclassed Liang and Wang to seal India’s third quarterfinal spot.

SATWIK AND CHIRAG INCH CLOSER TO ANOTHER MEDAL

Satwik and Chirag possibly played their best badminton all year, tactically outclassing the higher-ranked Chinese pair in the Round of 16. After conceding the opening game in a close fight, Satwik and Chirag raised their intensity to force a decider.

It was the third successive time that these familiar foes played out a three-game match on the tour. Liang and Wang had won their last three encounters, but Satwik and Chirag meant business, not willing to surrender to their familiar foes for the fourth successive time.

The Indian duo, winners of bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships, raced to the finish line with six straight points, recovering from 15-17 in the final game. Satwik and Chirag kept it flat, not allowing the Chinese duo any room to hit their smashes in the final stretch of the match.

Defensively solid and raising their attacking game, Satwik and Chirag showed signs of return to peak form after having had a quiet year so far on the tour.

However, Satiwk and Chirag will need to overcome their biggest rivals if they are to medal the worlds for a second time. The Indian duo will take on World No. 2 Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. The Malaysians have a 11-3 head-to-head against the Indian duo, often proving to be their biggest hurdles at the biggest of all stages.