International
GoBadminton

Satwik/Shetty Secure Silver at French Open Super 750

By: Editor
Date: 28 Oct, 2019
Image Courtesy: GoBadminton
Satwik Sairaj & Chirag Shetty secured the Silver Medal at the French Open 2019 in the men’s doubles event following a hard-fought loss against world number #1 Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo & Marcus Fernaldi Gideon. Satwik/Shetty lost in straight games 21-18 21-16, and definitely had their moments, during the absorbing contest.

After a relatively slow start to the opening game, Satwik/Shetty made steady progress to narrow the lead down to 11-8. The lead for the Indonesian pair further wilted down and the Indians managed to catch them level at 17-all. The opening game was there for the taking, but Kevin/Gideon took three straight points to effectively kill off the game.

The second game began on a more even kneel and remained so until the halfway mark. At 12-12, both teams had their chances of stealing the march over the other. And it was the Indonesians once again who exploited their experience to put together a string of four points, opening up a 16-13 lead – which they captalized well to take the game, match and championship.

Despite the loss in the summit clash, Satwik/Shetty can be proud of their campaign. They fought hard, got the better off many teams much higher than them in rankings, and played an excellent brand of entertaining badminton.

Earlier in the day, An Se-young began proceedings with a huge upset over Carolina Marin in the women’s singles. Winning the opening game, Carolina Marin looked very much in control of the proceedings and leading 11-8 in the second it looked like a matter of time before the Olympic champion takes home another winner’s medal.

However, An Se had different ideas and she mounted one of the most remarkable comebacks of recent times and managed to level scores at 15-all. Then a 5-point streak gave her a glimmer of hope and that’s all she needed to close the second game and force a decider. And suddenly it was a different Carolina that took to the court in the 3rd game. 

Carolina won the first two points, and An Se took 20 of the next 21 points contested to leave Carolina’s title hopes in tatters. In a matter of minutes, the young 17-year old had blown apart the Olympic champion in a ruthless and relentless manner. A first Super 750 title at aged 17, is an incredible achievement by An Se-young.

For the men’s singles title defending champion Chen Long took on Indonesian Jonatan Christie. The first game was tightly contested, and Chen narrowly edged past the charismatic youngster. The second game also remained well fought with both players locked in at 11-all. Chen Long then pushed the pedal to take 10 out of the next 11 points and successfully defend his title.

Praveen Jordan/Melati Oktavianti won the mixed doubles title, while 
Lee So Hee & Shin Seung Chan defeated compatriots Kim So Yeong/Kong Hee Yong to win the women’s doubles crown.


Share this post with your friends

Visitors Guru
Most Viewed
Stay Connected