China Masters 2024: Satwik-Chirag Go Down Fighting in Semi-Final, India's Challenge Ends

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Indian challenge in China Masters 2024 ended on Saturday (November 23) after the country's top men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty bowed out in the semifinals of the WBF Super 750 badminton tournament.

The Indian pair, who returned to action for the first time since the Paris Olympics disappointment, went down fighting in three games against Korea's Jin Yong and Seo Seung Jae at the Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium in Shenzhen, China.

The former world number one Indian pair, who had reached the finals in the last edition, couldn't maintain the pressure in a 74-minute encounter, going down 18-21, 21-14, 16-21 to the unseeded Korean duo.

The opening game was closely contested as both pairs engaged in fierce rallies. Satwik-Chirag held a slim 11-10 lead at the mid-game interval. The Indians then established a 15-12 advantage as Jin struggled with rhythm during short rallies.

However, a service fault call against Chirag and a lucky net chord for the Koreans helped them level at 16-16. The left-handed Korean pair gained momentum, taking a 17-16 lead and eventually clinching the game after Chirag's return found the net.

In the second game, the Indians played with energy, leading 8-6 before winning a thrilling 47-shot rally to extend their lead to 15-10. Two quick errors from the Koreans at the net and the lead widened as Satwik and Chirag forced the decider.

The deciding game began with Chirag once again called for a service height fault. At 2-3, he showcased exceptional defense, keeping the rally alive while falling on the floor before smashing home the point.

However, Seo's brilliant defense turned the tide as the Koreans moved ahead 11-7 at the interval. Trailing 7-13, the Indians mounted a spirited comeback, winning six of the next seven points to close the gap to 13-14.

The Indian duo kept the pressure on, staying within striking distance at 15-16, but the Koreans held firm, extending their lead to 18-15. Seo's sharp smash and disguised return earned four match points for the Korean pair, who sealed the contest with another powerful smash.

With that defeat, it brought down the curtains on India's challenge at the China Masters as singles players Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu also crashed out in earlier rounds. While Sindhu exited in the women's singles second round, Sen lost in the men's singles quarter-final stage.