Korea Open Badminton 2023: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty reach finals

Yeosu (Korea): Star Indian pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty stormed into the final of the Korea Open Super 500 badminton tournament with a thrilling straight-game win over world number two Chinese pair of Liang Wei Kang and Wang Chang on Saturday. The world number three Indian pair registered a 21-15, 24-22 win over the second seeds Chinese pair in a 40-minute match at the Jinnam Stadium. It was the first win over the Chinese pair of Satwik and Chirag after two previous defeats.

Satwik and Chirag, who have won the Indonesia Super 1000 and Swiss Open Super 500 titles this year, will face either Indonesia’s top seeds Fajr Alfian and Muhammad Riyan Ardianto or Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae in the summit clash.

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Satwik and Chirag booked for the first time #koreaopen Entered the final after defeating second seeds Liang/Wang in straight games 21-15, 24-22.#koreaopen2023 #BWFworldtour #BWFonJioCinema #BWFonSports18 , @satwiksairaj @shettychirag04 pic.twitter.com/oTOoixs8hZ– JioCinema (@JioCinema) 22 July 2023

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The Chinese player, who won the Thailand and India Open this year, came into the match with a 2-0 head-to-head record but it was a different day as the Indian won the Indonesia Open in his last tournament in June to reach his second consecutive final. Both pairs made short rallies and pounced on any weak points. The result saw the pairs level each other from 3-3 to 5-5.

India had a slim 7-5 lead but Liang hit the spot between the two. However, the Indians managed to take a three-point lead at the interval after Liang found the net.

The lead became 14-8 after the Chinese found the net and went long distances. Satwik then hit his trademark smash but the Chinese pair got few points, mainly due to Chirag’s decision error at the backline.

Liang hit another smash to take the lead to 17-11 for the Indians, who soon made it 19-12 with Satwik’s precise cross court return. Satwik and Chirag had six game points after Wang sent one to the net. The Indians conceded a run before sealing the net when Liang failed to negotiate the serve.

The second game was no different as both the pairs took turns to lead from 2-2 to 8-8. Soon the Indians got two quick points led by Chirag. The Chinese then hit a wide to give the Indians an 11-8 lead at the break.

After the restart, Wang’s backhand went into the net and the Indians were soon at 14-9. Wang’s cross court return and Liang’s brilliance in the front court kept the Chinese in the lead at 12–14.

The Chinese held their breath until 17-15, but Liang hit a smash to take the match to a tight finish. After the Chinese went out of the ball, the Indians again grabbed a two-point lead, but Liang once again made a weak return at the net and then hit another jump smash to tie it at 18-18.

While Liang sent a long, Chirag served short as it was 19-19. After this Chirag sent a smash to get the match point. But this time Satwik’s serve was short as it was 20-20.

A strong return from Satwik earned India its second match point. But Wang ruined it by taking one out. However, Wang hit the next spray over the net but Liang saved the day with a smash as the score was 22–22.

India grabbed their fourth match point and this time Satwik converted it by sending a cross after kissing the net. He soon joins in with his trademark dance.

The BWF World Tour is divided into six levels, namely the World Tour Finals, four Super 1000s, six Super 750s, seven Super 500s and 11 Super 300s. Another category of tournaments, the BWF Tour Super 100 level, also awards ranking points.