Olympics 2024: Satwik-Chirag continue winning run in Paris, Ashwini Ponnappa-Tanisha Crasto bow out

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Olympics 2024: In a stunning display of skill and determination, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured their place in the quarter-finals of the men's doubles badminton competition at the Paris Olympics.

On Tuesday, July 30, the Indian duo faced off against Indonesia's Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Fajar Alfian, overcoming the world number six pair in straight games. The match, held at La Chapelle Arena, saw Satwik and Chirag triumph with a convincing 21-13, 21-13 victory.

From the outset, Satwik and Chirag showcased their renowned aggressive style, taking control of the match with powerful smashes and precise placements. Despite the seemingly comfortable scoreline, the match was intensely competitive.

The Indian pair had to work hard in the Paris heat to outplay their formidable opponents. The first game saw Satwik and Chirag take an 11-8 lead at the halfway mark. They then increased the intensity, using flat pushes and relentless pressure to pull ahead, eventually winning the game with a thundering smash from Satwik.

The second game followed a similar pattern. Satwik and Chirag maintained their momentum, leading 11-8 at the break and extending their advantage to 14-8. The Indonesian pair, however, fought back with cross-court drops and powerful flat drives, testing the Indian duo’s reflexes and court coverage.

Despite a brief resurgence from Ardianto and Alfian, who won four consecutive points, Satwik and Chirag regained control to close out the game 21-13.

The key difference between the two pairs was the accuracy and consistency of their returns. Satwik and Chirag excelled in finding difficult spaces on the court, while their Indonesian counterparts struggled to maintain their highest level throughout the match.

pWith this victory, Satwik and Chirag finished their Group C campaign with three wins from three matches. They now await the quarter-final draw to learn their next opponents.

Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto's Campaign Ends in Defeat

In contrast to Satwik and Chirag's success, India's Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto faced a challenging campaign in the women's doubles competition. The duo suffered their third consecutive defeat at the Paris Olympics after losing 15-21, 10-21 to Australia's Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu.

Despite their best efforts, Ponnappa and Crasto were unable to contain the Australians, who regularly tested their defense and ultimately outplayed them.

Ponnappa and Crasto's previous matches in the tournament also ended in disappointment. They were defeated 11-21, 12-21 by Japan's Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, and 18-21, 10-21 by the Korean pair of Kong Hee-yong and Kim So-yeong in their opening match. The Indian pair fought valiantly in each game, showing moments of brilliance, but were consistently overpowered by their opponents.

With three losses, Ponnappa and Crasto finished fourth in their group, failing to advance to the quarter-finals. The top two pairs from each of the four groups will progress to the knockout stages, but the Indian duo’s struggles meant their Olympic journey ended in the group stage.