Did Sat-Chi's Dream Run at the World Tour Finals End in Defeat?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sat-Chi had a strong start but faltered in the later stages.
- The match showcased the competitive spirit of badminton on an international level.
- Indian badminton continues to grow, with promising athletes emerging.
- Performance against top-ranked pairs is crucial for future success.
- Resilience in sports is vital for overcoming challenges.
Hangzhou, Dec 20 (NationPress) The dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty from India had their remarkable journey at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025 abruptly halted in the semi-finals, succumbing to the formidable Chinese team of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who are the silver medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympics. The match concluded with scores of 21-10, 17-21, 15-21.
The Indian pair started the contest on a high note, securing the first game decisively. However, the Chinese pair showcased resilience, turning the tide in the following games to clinch the bronze medal.
Historically, Indian shuttlers have managed to bag only two medals at the BWF World Tour Finals, with PV Sindhu being the sole gold medallist, having won the women’s singles title back in 2018.
Ranked third, the Indian duo initially struggled against the fifth-ranked pair from China, who took an early 4-1 lead. Nevertheless, the Indian shuttlers retaliated, leveling the score at 5-5 and subsequently dominating the first game at 21-10. The Chinese duo, however, regrouped in the second game, clinching vital points to win 21-17, pushing the match into a decisive third game.
The final game proved lopsided, with Liang Wei Keng delivering lethal serves and Wang Chang controlling the net play. This marked the eighth defeat for Satwik and Chirag in their twelve encounters against the Chinese pair, with five losses occurring in 2025 alone. Prior to this match, the Indian duo had impressive wins in both the group stages of the BWF World Tour Finals and the round of 16 at the BWF World Championships.