New Delhi: World No.3 men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty booked a place in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian duo is the first men’s doubles pair to reach the quarterfinal stage at the prestigious event.
Satwik and Chirag’s Group C match against German shuttlers Mark Lamfuss and Marvin Seidel on Monday was cancelled after Lamfuss’ injury ruled out of the tournament. However, French pair of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar lost to Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Fajar Alfian of Indonesia later in the day. Corvee and Labar have now lost two matches, which means the Indian pair is guaranteed of a top two finish in in Group C.
The Asian Games gold medallists started their Paris Olympics campaign with a convincing win over Corvee and Labar in straight games 21-17, 21-14. The Indians will next face Rian Ardianto and Fajar Alfian on Tuesday (July 30) in a clash that will decide the table toppers of Group C.
Sat-Chi first Indian pair to make cut for last 8 in Olympics
No other Indian men’s doubles pair have ever come to the distance Satwik and Chirag have at the Olympics. The pair made their Olympics debut in Tokyo three years ago. Despite winning two matches in the group stage, including one against eventual gold medalist Lee Yang Wang Chi-lin but couldn’t make through to the quarterfinals then.
In the build-up to Paris Olympics, the pair dubbed as ‘Brother of Destruction’ was considered as titled contenders from India, having won bronze medal in World Championships in 2022, gold medal in Commonwealth Games in the same year, gold medal in the Asian Games in 2023, claiming World No.1 spot in October last year.
Satwik and Chirag won two BWF titles this year – French Open in March and Thailand Open in May – besides making to two other finals in Malaysia Open and India Open to begin the year.
World No.3 men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty booked a place in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian duo is the first men’s doubles pair to reach the quarterfinal stage at the prestigious event. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
