Asian Games gold medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty faced an unexpected early exit at the Japan Masters Super 500 badminton tournament on Tuesday. Despite their top-seed status, the Indian duo succumbed to a 63-minute battle, losing 21-16, 18-21, 16-21 to the formidable Lu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han of Chinese Taipei.
In a surprising turn, the world No. 5 Indian pair couldn’t replicate their past success against Lu and Yang, whom they had defeated in the French Open final last year. Despite initially leading 11-7, Satwik and Chirag were unable to maintain their advantage, eventually dropping the first game.
The second game was fiercely contested, with Lu and Yang securing an 11-9 lead at the interval. Although Satwik and Chirag fought back, the Taiwanese pair broke away at 14-14, forcing the match into a decider.
The third game unfolded similarly, with both pairs engaged in a closely fought battle. Lu and Yang gained momentum from 6-6, winning four of the next five points to establish a 10-7 lead. Despite Satwik and Chirag’s efforts to level the score, Lu and Yang’s relentless dominance in rallies secured a decisive victory.
Reflecting on the defeat, Satwik and Chirag’s performance showcased glimpses of their skill, but Lu and Yang’s spirited play ultimately prevailed. As H S Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, and Priyanshu Rajawat prepare for their upcoming matches on Wednesday, the India contingent aims to rebound from this unexpected setback.
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