Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty went down to world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Sang Jae of Korea at the India Open on Sunday, settling for their second successive runners-up finish.
The home favourites lost 21-15, 11-21, 18-21 after an intense 65 minutes on the court at the KD Jadhav Indoor stadium here. Winners of the 2022 edition, the pair had finished second best at the Malaysia Super 1000 last week.
Chirag dazzled in the front court with net interceptions in the opening game as the duo led 11-9 and soon jumped to 19-13 after the break before pocketing it. But Sat-Chi, as they are known on the badminton circuit, made a sloppy start in the second, falling behind 1-5 before a change of pace helped them make it 5-7.
The Koreans defended well, while India’s attack seemed to lose a bit of sting as Kang and Seo grabbed a 10-point advantage at 15-5. Kang stepped up with his serve and showed good variations. The Koreans held 10 game points and they converted in the second chance to roar back into the contest.
In the decider, the Koreans kept a high tempo, not allowing the Indians to play their attacking game.
Though disappointed to miss out on the title, Satwik said “sometimes losing is better than winning always” because they stay hungry.
“There have been few tournaments where we lost and then we got lucky to win but I feel when it matters, it will come, we just need to hang in there,” he said. “We are disappointed we could not win but we are still hungry. We are not satisfied. So that will pump us.
“Next few days, we are taking off and then we start again for All England and French Open. So losing is better sometimes,” added the 23-year-old.
Singles crowns
In the singles round of the tournament, an inspired Tai Tzu Ying secured her first women’s crown here with a dominating 21-16, 21-12 win over Chen Yu Fei, while world No. 2 Shi Yu Qi outwitted giant-killer Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong 23-21, 21-17 to reclaim the men’s singles title.
