Did Satwik-Chirag Make a Winning Comeback While Lakshya Sen Retired Hurt?
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Synopsis
In an eventful day at the Singapore Open, India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty marked a strong return to badminton with a decisive win, while Lakshya Sen’s campaign was cut short due to injury. Discover how these matches unfolded and what this means for Indian badminton.
Key Takeaways
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty return with a strong win at the Singapore Open.
- Lakshya Sen's campaign ends due to injury.
- The Indian duo aims to regain form after previous setbacks.
- Other Indian players face challenges but show promise.
- Mixed doubles team progresses to the next round.
Singapore, May 28 (NationPress) India’s prominent men’s doubles team Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made an impressive return to competitive play with a straightforward victory at the Singapore Open Super 750 badminton tournament, despite Lakshya Sen’s unfortunate exit due to injury.
After withdrawing from the All-England Championships in March because of a back injury to Chirag, the Indian duo displayed their prowess and won in straight games. The former world No. 1 pair triumphed over Malaysia’s Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal, clinching the match 21-16, 21-13 in less than 40 minutes during the first round.
This marked their second victory against the Malaysian pair, currently ranked 41st in the world, as the Indian duo, now ranked 27th, exhibited remarkable skill and assurance throughout the match.
This win follows a challenging period for the duo, who had also missed the Sudirman Cup earlier this month. While Chirag focused on recovery, Satwik faced his own health challenges. Prior to their absence, they were in good form with semifinal placements in both the Malaysia Open and India Open earlier this year.
In contrast, the singles competition brought disappointment for India as top male shuttler Lakshya Sen had to retire early in his opening match. The world No. 17 started strong against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi, winning the first game 21-15. However, Lin, ranked 19th, made a comeback to secure the second game 21-17. In the final game, Sen struggled with lower back pain and retired while trailing 5-13.
In mixed doubles, Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde advanced to the pre-quarterfinals, winning against the American team of Chen Zhi Yi and Francesca Corbett with scores of 21-16, 21-19 in 35 minutes.
In the women’s singles, Aakarshi Kashyap and Unnati Hooda demonstrated potential but could not progress beyond the first round. Kashyap lost to world No. 4 Han Yue 21-17, 13-21, 7-21 in a battle lasting 58 minutes, while Hooda, despite winning the first game, fell to world No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi with scores of 21-13, 9-21, 15-21.
Anupama Upadhyaya also exited the tournament, losing 12-21, 16-21 to Sung Shuo Yun of Chinese Taipei, and the women’s doubles pair of Vaishnavi Khadkekar and Alisha Khan faced defeat against Australia’s Gronya Somerville and Angela Yu, with scores of 8-21, 9-21.
Point of View
We stand firmly with our athletes, celebrating their victories while empathizing with their challenges. The return of Satwik and Chirag signals hope and resilience, while Lakshya's injury is a reminder of the sport's physical demands. Our commitment remains to support and uplift our sportsmen, ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve.
NationPress
27/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of Satwik and Chirag's match?
Satwik and Chirag won their opening match against Malaysia's Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal with scores of 21-16, 21-13.
Why did Lakshya Sen retire from his match?
Lakshya Sen retired midway through his match due to lower back pain, trailing 5-13 in the deciding game.
How did other Indian players perform at the tournament?
Other Indian players like Aakarshi Kashyap and Unnati Hooda faced early exits, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde advanced in mixed doubles.
