Satwik-Chirag pair enters All England second round

Birmingham, Mar 13: India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the second round of the men’s doubles competition at the All England Championships, registering a straight-game victory over Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard.

Returning to the court after his father’s loss last month, Satwik, along with his doubles partner Chirag, put on an impressive display, securing a 21-17, 21-15 win in just 40 minutes late Wednesday.

Moments after sealing the victory, Satwik raised his finger to the sky, his gaze fixed skyward — perhaps reaching out to his father, searching for him in the beyond.

“It’s tough, but that’s how life is,” said Satwik. “It wasn’t expected.”

The 24-year-old from Amalapuram expressed his gratitude to his partner for being there during this challenging time.

“During hard times he (Shetty) came to my home town, we practised there a bit, and for that I’m thankful. He was there during my injury; his parents came down and our coach also came down to my home town.

“My father always wanted to bring them there.”

Reflecting on the sudden turn of events in the past fortnight, Chirag said: “Credit to Satwik, what he’s gone through and how he’s come back and decided to play here, nobody could do that.

“Kudos to him, he’s a strong-willed person to come out of it, and keep it all aside, because that’s what his dad would’ve wanted him to do. I’m proud to be his partner.”

The duo, seeded 7th, will next take on China’s Hao Nan Xie and Wei Han Zeng in the round of 16 on Thursday.

In other matches involving Indian players, Lakshya Sen will face Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, while Malvika Bansod takes on Japan’s third seed Akane Yamaguchi, a two-time World Champion.

Malvika had earlier stunned Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min in her debut match at the prestigious tournament.

World No. 9 Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who reached back-to-back semifinals at this event, will meet the eighth-seeded Korean pair of Hye Jeong Kim and Hee Yong Kong.

Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde will square off against the fifth-seeded Chinese duo of Yan Zhe Feng and Ya Xin Wei. (PTI)

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

State lost Rs 1577-cr revenue in 2022-23: CAG

Shillong, Mar 13: Meghalaya has lost revenue to the...

97.5% land handed over to NHIDCL: Govt

Shillong, Mar 13: Land acquisition for construction of the...

No plan for landfill site at Mawkhanu: Dhar

Shillong, Mar 13: The state government has no plan...

Work on PHC in progress: Ampareen

Shillong, Mar 13: Upgradation of Manggakgre Sub-Centre in West...

3,000 recruitments in police by June: Dy CM

Shillong, Mar 13: The process of recruitment in over...

State seeks joint plan with Assam on Byrnihat pollution

Shillong, Mar 13: Meghalaya has put forward a joint...

Magnificent Obsession bags coveted Meghalaya Icon 2025 title

Shillong, Mar 13: Magnificent Obsession’s message of hope, resilience...

USTM students battle it out for the ultimate Ein-King trophy

Shillong, Mar 13: Celebrating the enduring legacy of Albert...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img