Tokyo: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty scripted history Friday by becoming the first Indian pair to win a medal in men’s doubles at the BWF World Championships after upsetting World No. 2 Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi of Japan in the quarterfinals here. By reaching the semifinals, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty has assured themselves of at least a bronze medal.
The World No. 7 Indian combination, who had claimed the Commonwealth Games gold medal earlier this month, outwitted the local favourites and defending champions 24-22, 15-21, 21-14 in 65 minutes to claim their maiden medal at the prestigious tournament. It was India’s second World Championships medal in the doubles event with Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa claiming a bronze way back in 2011 in the women’s doubles.
Satwik and Shetty will now face the sixth seeded Malaysian pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the semifinals.
Earlier, MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila’s fine run came to an end after the Indian pair lost to three-time gold medallists Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan in another men’s doubles quarterfinals.
The unseeded Indian duo, who had some sensational wins this week, lost 8-21, 14-21 to the third-seeded Indonesian pair in less than 30 minutes. The Indians had earlier defeated eighth seeds Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark in the second round.
Satwik and Chirag came out with a lot of intent as they dominated the proceedings early on to establish a lead of 12-5 in the first game but the Japanese pair reeled off seven points on the trot to eke out a 16-14 advantage.
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However, the Indian duo was up for the task as it fought tooth and nail to ensure they won the opening game.
Takuro and Yugo made a strong comeback in the second game after breaking off at 9-9 following a tight battle.
With the match hanging in balance, the Indian pair once again found their bearings as the two strengthened their defence and mounted an attack to lead 11-5 at the interval.
Satwik and Chirag then extended the lead to 14-8 when the Indians were called for a fault for touching the net during a return. The duo lost the point but soon managed to put that behind, leading 16-9.
Yugo produced some sensational shots, including a powerful smash and a cross court return, to keep the Japanese duo’s chances alive with three points.
Two shots going wide from the Japanese duo put India a couple of points away from the win at 19-13. The Indians then grabbed seven match points with another superb return which their opponents failed to negotiate.
A tad nervous, Satwik faltered on his serve next but Yugo sent the shuttle to the net as Chirag let out a cry in celebration.
