Indian badminton sensations Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are showcasing a more resilient and adaptable game as they navigate the tough competition at the China Open.
Navigating the China Open Challenge
The Round of 16 match at the China Open Super 1000 against Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando and Bagas Maulana mirrored Satwik and Chirag’s career journey. It started strong, but soon required deep introspection and a calm approach to overcome uncomfortable situations.
The Indian duo secured a hard-fought victory with scores of 21-19, 21-19 in just 43 minutes. This win highlighted their continued evolution, particularly in adapting to a fast-paced, “flat” game that demands a different set of skills than their naturally aggressive style.
Mastering the Modern Game
Traditionally known for their powerful, leaping smashes, Satwik and Chirag have been forced to unlearn some of their natural tendencies. The current badminton landscape often favors angular, east-to-west shots and diagonal play over pure north-to-south aggression.
This shift requires them to crouch more, execute clever curling shots, and strategically crunch points. It’s a constant process of improvisation, demanding endless patience while still maintaining an aggressive edge when opportunities arise.
Conquering Tricky Service Returns
For the past 18 months, Satwik and Chirag have frequently been caught off guard by the “funky spinning, shooting, squirming serves” favored by their Indonesian and Malaysian rivals. However, in this match, they showed significant improvement in tackling this formidable weapon.
They have been diligently tweaking their crouching stance and learning to bide their time. They now manage to inject aggression into their returns, using clever racquet angles to neutralize the tricky serves that previously troubled them.
Building Mental Fortitude
Just like their career, smooth sailing often gives way to steep challenges. Yet, the duo now faces these situations with greater awareness, having experienced numerous setbacks in the past year. Even after taking the first game, the second proved challenging.
Chirag reflected on the match, noting its “topsy turvy” nature with neither side holding a significant lead. He admitted they could have started the second game “a little more calmer,” but expressed satisfaction at closing out the match.
Satwik emphasized the importance of “digging deep” when they fell behind in the second set. He noted their increased confidence from the first game, even when passive moments allowed opponents to gain rhythm. The key, he added, was sticking together and knowing that a few good points could turn the tide.
The Road Ahead: Incremental Progress
Despite ongoing challenges, particularly against strong Malaysian pairings, Satwik and Chirag are making tangible, hard-earned progress. They acknowledge they are not yet at their absolute peak, but are content with their current form.
To gain more match practice and refine their game, the duo confirmed their participation in the Macau Open next week. This commitment underlines their dedication to building back their game, one resilient service return and strategic adaptation at a time.
- Satwik-Chirag are adapting to a more “flat” and angular style of badminton.
- They have significantly improved their ability to return tricky, spinning serves.
- The duo displays enhanced mental resilience, staying calm and “digging deep” in tough moments.
- They plan to play more tournaments, like the upcoming Macau Open, to regain their peak form.
Their journey continues, marked by a clear commitment to evolving their game and consistently challenging the world’s best.
