HIGHLIGHTS

• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost in straight games on Monday
• Satwik and Chirag are in contention to reach the quarter-final
• Despite Monday’s loss, Satwik and Chirag are at 2nd spot in 4-team Group A

World No. 10 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were comfortably outclassed in their men’s doubles Group A match against World No. 1 Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Gideon Marcus Fernaldi on Monday.

Satwiksairaj and Chirag lost the fixture in a little over 30 minutes in straight games 21-13, 21-12. Despite the defeat, the star Indian doubles players are in contention to reach the quarter-final of the men’s doubles competition.

Satwik and Chirag began on a good note, managing to win short rallies against the Minions. It was 5-5 in the first game but the Indonesian superstars found an extra gear and raced to victories in both games.

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Chirag Shetty needed medical assistance at the start of the second game after seemingly crashing his leg on the net post. However, on-air commentators confirmed that he did not do so and it could have been a minor issue with is toe nail.

Despite the defeat, Satwik and Chirag are at the 2nd spot in the 4-team Group A. Satwik and Chirag stunned world no. 3 pair of Yang Lee and Chi-Lin Wang of Chinese Taipei in their opening Group Stage match.

Satwik and Chirag will be able to go through to the quarter-finals if they beat Great Britain’s Lane Ben and Vendy Sean in their final group-stage match on Tuesday. Even if they lose, they have a chance of making it to the quarter-finals, provided Yang Lee and Chi-Lin Wang don’t beat the Minions.

Meanwhile, Sai Praneeth’s chances of making it to the men’s singles knockout stages have ended after he lost his first match to Israel’s Zilberman. Praneeth has one more match left in is campaign but its result won’t affect his chances.