An error-prone HS Prannoy signed off with an Asian Games bronze, India’s first medal in males’s singles in 41 years, however Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty stored alive the nation’s hopes of a first-ever badminton gold after cruising into the boys’s doubles remaining on Friday. Satwik and Chirag, ranked world no. 3, dished out a badminton master-class to outclass Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, Tokyo bronze medallists and former world champions, 21-17, 21-12 in 46 minutes of dominance.

(Asian Games 2023 Medals Tally | Asian Games 2023 Full Schedule)

The Indian pair thus grew to become the primary Indian males’s doubles pair to guarantee of a silver on the Asian Games. The duo was additionally a part of India’s silver-medal profitable males’s workforce final week.

Satwik and Chirag, the reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallists, will face Korea’s Choi Sol Gyu and Kim Won Ho within the remaining on Saturday. The Indians have a 2-0 document towards the Koreans.

While the doubles pair was merely sensational, Prannoy, who was enjoying with a again niggle, succumbed in a pool of errors, taking place 16-21, 9-21 to reigning All England champion, China’s Li Shi Feng, within the semifinals earlier within the day to log out with a maiden bronze.

It was India’s second medal in males’s singles since Syed Modi claimed a bronze within the 1982 version in New Delhi.

Satwik and Chirag got here into the match with a dismal 1-8 document towards the Malaysians nevertheless it did not matter as they despatched down their booming smashes at any time when there was a chance and in addition had been good with their angles and placement.

The two pairs fought tooth and nail from the primary level to 10-10 earlier than Satwik produced a smash to take a one-point lead on the break.

On resumption, the Indian pair confirmed higher anticipation and shortly prolonged their result in 16-10 earlier than grabbing six sport factors.

A service error from the Indians after which a misleading stroke from Soh helped Malaysia save three sport factors earlier than Aaron despatched his forehand into the web.

The Indians got here out all weapons blazing with the pair mixing defence and assault seamlessly to zoom to 11-3 on the interval.

The two confirmed nice coordination, transferring easily backwards and forwards with Satwik displaying his excellent defence and Chirag complementing him.

Satwik and Chirag stored dominating the rallies with their anticipation and interceptions and grabbed 10 match factors after profitable a internet duel, and transformed within the third try.

Earlier, Prannoy made a very good begin however misplaced the plot halfway by means of the opening sport, primarily because of the errors he dedicated whereas searching for precision in his return, going extensive and lengthy within the course of.

Prannoy, 31, focussed on developing his rallies, utilizing his drops to good use to guide 3-1. He combined his pictures effectively, shying away from smashes and as an alternative utilizing tosses to pin his opponent to the baseline.

Li tried to step up the tempo and drew parity 5-5. The Indian then used his smash to get some extent and shortly moved to 8-5. He produced a forehand misleading return to go to 9-7.

However, searching for precision, Prannoy missed the traces on the flank a couple of occasions to permit the Chinese to recuperate. Li made it 10-10 earlier than a misleading drop gave Prannoy a one-point cushion.

He led 13-11 when issues began turning, as Li made it 15-14 with Prannoy erring.

The Chinese additionally grew in confidence and used his assault to maneuver to 17-14. A straight leap smash stored Prannoy going, however he quickly fell behind to 15-19.

Li gained a internet duel to achieve 4 sport factors after which a fortunate internet wire ended the opening sport.

The second sport too was a good affair initially because the duo battled to 4-4 however Li used his attacking returns and began dominating the rallies to eke out a four-point benefit at 8-4 with a internet kill. Li had a five-point lead on the interval.

With Prannoy discovering it onerous to curb his errors, factors stored coming thick and quick for Li as he moved to 14-6. The Chinese appeared extra sharp and confirmed higher anticipation to maneuver to 19-9 in a jiffy.

An on-the-line return gave 11 match factors to Li and he sealed it comfortably.

Prannoy conceded that not being with the ability to obtain peak health ranges was one of many causes for his defeat. The 31-year-old Indian has performed nearly all his matches right here with a heavily-taped decrease again.

“Credit to Li. He played a really solid game out there. I had more chances in the first game but it drifted away from me after 14-14. At my current fitness level, I’m happy enough to play the semifinal on such a big stage,” stated Prannoy.

“It’s the first time he’s beaten me and maybe my fitness played a part, but today he was much better prepared. The crowd gave him confidence. I think a combination of factors gave him the edge.” The shuttler additionally indicated that the taxing Paris Olympics qualification schedule was taking a toll and he should “take care” of his niggles.

“Sadly, there are tons of tournaments before that (2024 Olympics). A whole year of qualifications and so many tournaments can be cruel for some badminton players. I need to take care of these issues (back injury) so now it’s important to get back and check my whole body to make sure I’m fit the entire year.” Prannoy additionally conceded the distinction in age between him and Li may even have been a contributing issue for his loss.

“I think age is a factor because some of them (players) are 21 or 22, and they’re flying all over the court. We have to manage these youngsters but there is also some fun in that.”

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