Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have once again proven their dominance in badminton, capturing the French Open title for the second time. The Indian duo outplayed Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan in straight games (21-11, 21-17) in the men’s doubles final in Paris on Sunday.
This victory marks the Indian pair’s first crown of the season and their seventh BWF World Tour title (Super 300 events and above). They have not dropped a single game throughout the tournament, showcasing their exceptional form.
The Indian duo’s triumph in Paris is particularly significant as it comes at the same venue that will host the 2024 Olympic Games. Chief coach Pullela Gopichand has expressed confidence that Satwik and Chirag are strong contenders for the Olympic gold medal.
“It feels really sweet. Paris has always been special for us, and we have always played good badminton here,” said Chirag. “It is a test venue for the Olympics, but that is still some months away.”
Satwik and Chirag’s victory was a testament to their sharp attack and solid defense. They forced their opponents into errors and controlled the rallies from the start. Their traditional celebration, with Satwik lifting Chirag in his lap and dancing with his racquet, added to the joyous atmosphere.
“We wanted to give our 100 percent and enjoy,” said Satwik. “Even Mathias (Boe) kept telling us to have fun, and we got back our rhythm and the momentum changed.”
The Indian duo’s success in Paris is a continuation of their impressive performances in recent months. They finished runners-up at the Malaysia Super 1000, India Super 750, and China Masters Super 750. Their victory in Paris is a testament to their consistency and determination.
