New Delhi: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the men’s doubles final at the Singapore Open Super 750, marking a significant milestone in their careers. The fourth-seeded Indian duo defeated the world number one pair from South Korea, Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, with a scoreline of 21-19, 21-18, completing the match in 52 minutes. This victory is their first against the reigning world champions and secures their inaugural final appearance at this tournament level.
The opening game showcased a tightly contested battle, with the Korean pair leading 13-11 at the mid-game interval. Despite the disadvantage, Rankireddy and Shetty remained persistent, gradually shifting momentum in their favor and ultimately seizing the lead.
The second game mirrored the first in its competitive nature. Although the Indian pair trailed 11-14 at the interval, they effectively regrouped, enhancing their execution during critical exchanges. Their sustained pressure allowed them to reclaim control of the match.
From that juncture, Rankireddy and Shetty maintained their composure, closing the match at 21-18 and securing their historic entry into the final. They become the first Indian men’s doubles pair to reach the Singapore Open title round. Their opponents will be determined in a match between Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, and China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.
Mixed Doubles Semi-Final Results
In other tournament news, India’s mixed doubles challenge concluded in the semifinals as Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto faced defeat against Japan’s Yuichi Shimogami and Sayaka Hobara. The match concluded with a score of 16-21, 21-17, 13-21, after an intense three-game contest. Despite leveling the match after losing the first game, the Indian pair could not sustain their energy in the final set, ending their campaign on a strong note.
