In a commanding performance at the Paris Olympics, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured their place in the men’s doubles quarter-finals with a decisive 21-13, 21-13 victory over Indonesia’s Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Fajar Alfian on Tuesday, July 30. The match, held on court 3 of the La Chapelle Arena, showcased the aggressive and relentless style that has become the hallmark of the Indian pair.
Intense Battle Despite Comfortable Scoreline
The Indian duo needed just 40 minutes to overcome the world No. 6 Indonesian team, demonstrating their exceptional skill and resilience. Despite the intense Paris heat and the strong challenge posed by Ardianto and Alfian, Sat-Chi maintained their focus and intensity throughout the match. They took an early lead in both games, with a standout moment coming from a powerful smash by Rankireddy that secured the final point of the first game.
The second game mirrored the first in terms of scoreline, but the Indonesians tested Sat-Chi more in the latter half. The Indonesian team employed strategic cross-court drops and powerful drives, but Rankireddy and Shetty’s superior reflexes and precise returns ultimately prevailed. Sat-Chi’s ability to consistently find difficult spaces and capitalize on Indonesian errors was a key factor in their victory.
With this win, Satwiksairaj and Chirag Shetty finished their Group C campaign unbeaten with three wins out of three. They will now await the quarter-final draws to determine their next opponents.