Paris, Mar 10: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty loved one other memorable ‘Evening in Paris’, lifting the French Open badminton crown for the second time with a dominating straight-sport victory over Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan within the males’s doubles last right here on Sunday.
The world No. 1 Indian pair had completed runners-up within the French Open in 2019 earlier than successful the title in 2022.
On Sunday, the Asian Games champions outwitted Lee and Yang 21-11 21-17 in 37 minutes to regain the Super 750 match title and likewise win their first crown of the season after reaching the summit conflict for the third time in 2023.
The Indian duo had completed second finest at Malaysia Super 1000, India Super 750 this yr, whereas signing off as runners-up at China Masters Super 750 as properly final yr.
Satwik and Chirag proved third time fortunate and their stellar present this week solely reconfirmed chief coach Pullela Gopichand’s assertion that the duo would be the favourites to win Paris Olympics gold.
“It feels really sweet. Paris has always been special for us and we have always played good badminton here and it has been a second home for us. It is a test venue for Olympics but that is still some months away,” Chirag stated.
“I would be lying if I say that I am not enjoying that (winning at Olympic venue) but we have won this final. There is another tournament next week, so looking forward to that.” This was the Indians’ seventh BWF World Tour title (Super 300 occasions and above) and so they received it with out dropping a single sport this week.
Soon after the win, the Indians celebrated of their conventional model with Satwik lifting Chirag in his lap as he had his fingers eyeing in direction of the sky. Satwik additionally broke right into a dance along with his racquet.
“It all started from Thomas Cup and it became a habit and it has been a long time since we danced. It is after fourth finals. We just wanted to go and have fun and let them earn points and the match,” Satwik stated.
“We wanted to give our 100 percent and enjoy. Even Mathias (Boe) kept telling us to have fun and we got back our rhythm and the momentum changed.” Satwik and Chirag loved a 2-0 head-to-head file in opposition to Lee and Yang however the Taiwanese pair has been within the type of their life, having come into the match after successful the German Open final week.
“They had some good weeks, they have beaten some good oppositions, and we knew we can’t take them lightly, their ranking might not be high but they have always been a formidable game. So we are happy that we could take that first game and after initial jittery take the second as well,” Chirag stated.
Satwik and Chirag have been alert and saved a pointy assault and their defence was additionally rock stable through the brief and snappy rallies which they dominated from the beginning.
Satwik and Chirag compelled opponents to commit errors repeatedly as they despatched the shuttle large and dumped into web twice because the Indians led 11-6 on the break.
Lee and Yang additionally erred of their serve, whereas the Indians, primarily Chirag, made sound judgements on the strains. Soon the Indians have been 14-6 when Yang sprayed a smash from Satwik to web.
The Indians sprayed a few pictures to the web as Lee and Yang tried to increase the rallies. But the Indians curtailed their plans, main 17-9 in a jiffy.
Satwik unleashed one other exact smash after which one other flat change ended with an outstanding smash from Satwik on the entrance-court docket because the Indians grabbed 10 sport factors.
The Commonwealth Games champions transformed on the second likelihood with Satwik dispensing a cross court docket smash.
Lee and Yang began on an attacking observe after the change of ends to open up a 4-1 lead.
With coach Mathias continuously giving directions from the sidelines, Chirag and Satwik rapidly regrouped and made it 3-4.
The Indians restored parity at 5-5 when the Taiwanese botched a flick serve after which dumped one to web.
A few smash on Satwik’s physique earned the Taiwanese a couple of factors however the Indians saved their nostril forward at 8-7 with a barrage of steep smashes.
Lee made some good interceptions on the entrance court docket and managed to carry a 11-9 cushion on the interval after the Indians have been known as for a fault for a double-hit throughout a rally.
On resumption, Lee and Yang dedicated one other service error because it was even-steven at 11-11.
Chirag made one other good name, asking Satwik to depart the shuttle on the backline because it was 14-14.
The Indians then piled up the stress, standing up a bit close to the web and stepping up the tempo to rapidly transfer to 17-14.
Another physique blow from Yang on Satwik gave them a degree however the Indians have been quickly two level away from a win after Chirag produced one other smash.
The Indians grabbed 4 match factors when the Taiwanese discovered the web. Lee and Yang saved one however then despatched the following one large because the Indians celebrated in unison. PTI ATK KHS KHS KHS
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
