Latest news with #SingaporeOpen
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Singapore Open: Satwik-Chirag go down in three games against nemesis Chia-Soh but take away positives on comeback from break
It happened towards the end of Game 2 of the semifinal at the Singapore Open when the Malaysian duo of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik had built up a good head of steam after dropping the opener. In one of the many mini-skirmishes for supremacy at the net against Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. As the shuttle cleared the top of the tape and drew the Indians forward, Satwik was closer to it on the left side but Chirag, who is nominally in charge of the frontcourt, also made his move across from the other side. It must have caught the peripheral vision of Satwik, who stopped himself, but Chirag too wasn't fully committed, and they both ended up missing it. A former Indian doubles international once said what makes Satwik-Chirag so special is that you'll barely ever see them upset with each other on court during a match. Here as well, it wasn't a display of frustration, but they exchanged glances that could be captioned, 'how did we let that happen?' It illustrated the rustiness in the Indians' gameplay as Chia-Soh won 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 in 64 minutes to reach the final. Just like that heartbreaking day in Paris last year at the Olympics, the Malaysians came from a game down to beat Satwik-Chirag. The lead-up to this tournament couldn't have been more contrasting for the two pairs. Satwik-Chirag had been out of action since the All England in March where they had to retire mid-way from the second round due to the latter's back niggle. Chia-Soh, on the other hand, had won the Asian Championships in April, then made the finals at Thailand Open and Malaysia Masters in the last fortnight (winning in Bangkok). 'We take a lot of positives. To come this far with the number of days we've trained and the weeks, months we've had both professionally and personally, to get back here and to play a semifinal, we never really expected,' Chirag told BWF later. He had said on Friday that they had trained for just 10 days in the last two months. 'When I look back at what we have faced over the past couple of months, it's a really good start.' The match started off in expected men's doubles fashion, with barely any developed rallies and a lot of the points getting decided at the net in the service-return-third shot exchanges. A five-point run on either side of the interval gave SatChi a cushion to hold on to, despite a late fightback from Chia-Soh. If Satwik and Chirag are both masterful at raining down smashes whenever they get the height to work with, Chia and Soh are blessed with the ability to change angles at full speed even when defending on flatter exchanges. They started Game 2 on a flurry of points and it signalled a change in momentum as well as tactics; they'd simply not allow SatChi to dictate with their height advantage. The near side also saw the Indians struggle with judging the length on both attack and defence, and the scoreline of 10-21 didn't augur well for what was to come in the decider when they wouldd have to finish from the same side. To their credit, the Indians dug deep from a near-impossible position as the Malaysians stiffened up from 20-11. Not one, not two, seven match points were saved by a combination of Malaysian nerves and SatChi's steadier radar, but it was too big a gap to bridge. The defeat meant that Satwik-Chirag have three semifinal appearances in three BWF World Tour events they have played this year, barring the All England pull-out. Given the context of their troubles, it is a solid return. But reflecting on now being world No 27, Satwik quipped after the match: 'We didn't like that number 27. But it's because of the break we had.' The best is yet to come, he added. 'Really, hats off to Chirag. Last month wasn't easy. I know he's having pain now also, but he's still not telling me,' he smiled. Next week is the big one. Satwik-Chirag will head off to the Indonesia Open, a Super 1000 that is the site of one of their best ever titles in 2023, one they clinched beating Chia-Soh in the final. And as luck would have it, a rematch is on the cards as early as the second round. Vinayakk Mohanarangan is Senior Assistant Editor and is based in New Delhi. ... Read More
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Aaron-Wooi Yik eye revenge in Singapore Open final
KUALA LUMPUR: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are one step from glory at the Singapore Open, and after surviving a nerve-jangling semi-final, the Malaysian pair are fired up to end the nation's 17-year title drought. The world No. 3 showed nerves of steel on Saturday, holding off a spirited fightback to beat India's world No. 27 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 in 64 minutes. Aaron-Wooi Yik looked to be cruising at 20-11 in the decider before allowing the Indians to claw back seven straight points. But they dug deep to finally close out the match - their 10th win in 13 meetings against the reigning Asian Games champions. "That last stretch was intense," admitted Aaron. "We lost a bit of focus but managed to stay calm when it mattered." Wooi Yik added: "We couldn't afford to relax even when leading. They're a very experienced pair, and every point counted." The hard-fought win earned the Malaysians their fourth consecutive final appearance - a career first - and set up a blockbuster clash against South Korea's world No. 10 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae. The Koreans have been in scorching form this year, with titles at the Malaysia Open, German Open and All England, and underlined their threat with a 21-17, 21-16 win over Denmark's world No. 2 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the other semi-final. Aaron-Wooi Yik have extra motivation, not just to capture their first Singapore crown, but also to avenge a painful semi-final loss to the Koreans at the India Open in January, their only previous meeting. "The final's going to be a tough battle," said Aaron. "We'll recover well and go all out." Malaysia have not tasted victory in the men's doubles at the Singapore Open since Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakry Latif triumphed in 2008, bust with Aaron-Wooi Yik in red-hot form, having won the Badminton Asia Championships and Thailand Open, and finishing runners-up at the Malaysia Masters, the 17-year wait could finally end on Sunday.
The Star
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Aaron-Wooi Yik storm into Singapore Open final
PETALING JAYA: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik stayed on course for another title after battling past India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty to reach the men's doubles final at the Singapore Open. The world No. 5 pair showed nerves early on in the semi-final clash at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday (May 31), allowing the Indian duo to draw first blood. But Aaron-Wooi Yik roared back in the second game, stepping up their intensity to force a decider. The Malaysians looked to be cruising in the rubber set when they opened up a seven-point lead, only to let their opponents claw back into contention. But a decisive smash from Wooi Yik finally sealed a hard-fought 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 victory after 63 minutes. This marks their fourth consecutive final appearance, including their title run at the Asian Championships in Ningbo in April. Standing in their way in Sunday's final are South Koreans Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho, who earlier overcame Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skarrup Rasmussen in the other semi-final.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Aaron-Wooi Yik storm into first Singapore Open final
KUALA LUMPUR: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik produced a masterclass to reach their first-ever final at the Singapore Open on Saturday. The world No. 3 fought back to beat reigning Asian Games champions and world No. 27 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 in the semi-finals. It marks their fourth straight final this season, following title wins at the Badminton Asia Championships and Thailand Open, and a runner-up finish at the Malaysia Masters. Aaron-Wooi Yik will face South Korea's world No. 10 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae in Sunday's final. The Koreans stunned world No. 2 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark 21-17, 21-16.
The Star
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Shevon hits back at armchair critics for lack of understanding
National mixed doubles shuttlers Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttler Shevon Lai Jemie rarely responds to criticism, but this time, she could no longer hold back her feelings. Known for her cheerful and friendly personality, Shevon was clearly disheartened by remarks from a handful of fans aimed at her and husband Goh Soon Huat after they missed out on a semi-final spot at the Singapore Open, following a defeat to Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran on Friday. Top seeds at the tournament, Soon Huat-Shevon fell 19-21, 22-20, 21-17, a loss that drew jeers from some fans on social media. In a post on her personal social media page, Shevon invited those who criticised her to come and train with them, even suggesting they pair up with Soon Huat to see just how challenging it really is. "If you guys wanna keep condemning me for not having initiative to find the shots, and feel I am letting Soon Huat run the entire court himself on purpose, please speak to @gohsoonhuat, and come train with us, I will let you feel how is it when I look for the shuttle. "And I am more than happy to let you partner @gohsoonhuat. You take my position and see how it feels," posted Shevon on her social media. The truth is, Soon Huat suffered an injury during the first set of the match, forcing them to adjust their playing style for the following games. Adding to their challenges, Soon Huat had only just recovered from leg injury when he returned to action at the Malaysian Masters last week. Soon Huat-Shevon were champions of the 2018 Singapore Open, where they defeated the top Indonesian pair at the time, Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir. The world No. 5 pair will have a chance to redeem themselves when they compete at the Indonesian Open next Tuesday. Ironically, Soon Huat and Shevon will face another Thai pair, Sapsiree Taerattanachai, who was previously partnered with Dechapol. However, the 2021 world champion is now teamed up with Phuwanat Horbanluekit, and they too are striving to make a breakthrough.
