Badminton News: Indian men’s duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty failed to clinch their second World Championship medals on Friday as both suffered back-to-back shock losses to Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in Copenhagen.

The world number 2 Indian pair, who had already won a historic bronze medal at the last World Championships, struggled to display their usual aggressive game.

Satwik/Chirag lost 18-12, 19-21 to 11th seed Denmark in a game that lasted 48 minutes.

Going into the game with a 2-5 head-to-head scoreline, Satwik/Chirag, who last faced the Danish pair in 2021, failed to qualify as home favorites cheered on by a crowd numerous, emerged victorious.

Chirag found it difficult, while Satwik tried to keep India in the game as the two tied at 15-15 after losing their opener, but Denmark proved too good that day.

The Indian started to spin the attack with Satwik unleashing heavy punches to make it 3-5. Denmark’s lead increased to 9-5 thanks to unforced errors from Satwik and Chirag.

Kim charged at goal and threw some good interceptions to take an 11-6 lead at the break.

Satwik produced a cross smash before netting a weak return near the net, but a few light errors and superb frontcourt play from Kim helped the Danes take a 15-9 lead.

Chirag’s ill-timed surge was neutralized by two cross smashes from behind the Indians which cut the deficit to 15-18.

A loose serve from Chirag is then dismissed by Kim. Satwik had two jump smashes but followed that up with a service error as Kim and Anders grabbed four match points.

The Indians saved two goals before the Danes converted thanks to a lopsided return from Anders.

Things didn’t change much after the team change, with Denmark leading 3-1 thanks to good serve from Anders.

The Indian team couldn’t play their attacking game and also struggled to manage their timing, soon finding themselves trailing 4-9.

Denmark got one more point after the shuttlecock appeared to hit Kim’s shirt when he came off as the position was already 10-6.

Satwik launched a relentless attack in a 32-shot exchange but Anders pulled off a killer streak to make it 11-7 at the break.

Another superb shot from Anders took the Danes to 13-8. It was then that the Indian pair raised hopes for a turnaround with Chirag hitting a smash and two good serves to cut the lead to 13-14.

The Indians won another offensive rally, then Kim put the ball in the net with the score at 15-15. A service error from Anders kept the score at 16-16 before Kim fired a cross shot and Satwik hit the net, the Danes opened a two-point lead.

Satwik scored again then fired wide to give the home favorites two match points. Chirag saved one before the Danes converted to seal their second World Championships medal.

Article Tags: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Kim Astrup, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, BWF World Championships 2023