In a thrilling men’s doubles final at the China Masters Super 750 tournament, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the Asian Games champions, displayed remarkable resilience against the formidable Chinese pair of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. Despite their valiant effort, the Indian duo faced defeat with a scoreline of 19-21, 21-18, 19-21, marking their first loss in six finals this season.
The final, lasting one hour and 11 minutes, witnessed an intense battle where Satwik and Chirag fought back from a 1-8 deficit in the decider. Saving six championship points, they showcased their grit and determination, but the Chinese pair secured the victory and ended an eight-year wait for the hosts to claim the men’s doubles China Masters title.
“This defeat is a learning experience for us, and we’ll come back stronger,” remarked Chirag Shetty after the match. The Chinese duo, Liang and Wang, avenged their previous loss to the Indians at the Asian Games, asserting their dominance in a fluctuating finale.
Despite their remarkable year, winning titles like the Badminton Asian Championships, Indonesia Super 1000, Korea Super 500, Swiss Super 300, and the Asian Games gold medal, Satwik and Chirag faced a tough challenge in the versatile and skillful play of Liang and Wang. The match showcased a mix of tactics, with both pairs focusing on placement, angles, and varying the pace to outmaneuver each other.
While the Indians staged a remarkable rally to claim the second game 21-18, unforced errors in the decider allowed the Chinese pair to take control. Despite the loss, Satwik and Chirag left the court with heads held high, acknowledging the tough fight they put up in the thrilling encounter.
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