Macau Open: Satwik-Chirag cruise into second round
Freshly reinstated in the top 10 of the BWF world rankings, the Asian Games gold medallists produced a clinical performance to outclass the Malaysian pair 21-13, 21-15 in just 36 minutes. The Indian duo started strong, racing to a 6-1 lead.
Though the Malaysians clawed back to within one point at 10-9, Satwik and Chirag surged ahead to take the opening game with ease. The second game was more competitive, with the Malaysians staying close until 13-14, but the Indians then pulled away with a four-point burst to seal the match.
In women's singles, rising stars Anmol Kharb and Tasnim Mir advanced to the main draw after impressive wins in their respective qualification matches. Anmol defeated Azerbaijan's Keisha Fatimah Azzahra 21-11, 21-13, while Tasnim came through a tough three-game battle against Thailand's Tidapron Kleebyeesun, winning 21-14, 13-21, 21-17.
Tasnim will now face top seed and Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei of China, while Anmol is set to take on Thailand's second seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan.
However, it wasn't a good outing for the top-seeded women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who suffered a hard-fought first-round exit. The Indian pair lost to Lin Xiao Min and Peng Yu Wei of Chinese Taipei 21-16, 20-22, 15-21 in an hour-long encounter.
In men's doubles qualifiers, Dingku Singh Konthoujam and Amaan Mohammad secured a spot in the main draw with a 21-18, 21-17 win over Hong Kong's Law Cheuk Him and Yeung Shing Choi. They now face compatriots Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy and Sai Pratheek K. in the next round.
In mixed doubles, Thandrangini Hema Nagendra Babu and Priya Konjengbam also progressed, setting up a clash with Thailand's Phuwanat Horbanluekit and Fungfa Korpthammakit.
Meanwhile, Meiraba Luwang Maisnam's campaign ended in the qualification stage after a 15-21, 21-17, 13-21 defeat to China's Zhu Xuan Chen.
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