Singapore Open: Satwik-Chirag Reach Quarters; Prannoy Exits
India's top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open badminton tournament. However, there was disappointment in men's singles as HS Prannoy was eliminated in the pre-quarterfinals after losing to Frenchman Christo Popov with scores of 16-21, 14-21. The mixed results highlight the ongoing challenges and successes for Indian shuttlers on the international BWF World Tour.
Unpacked:
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have become the most successful Indian men’s doubles pair, holding a stint as world No. 1, winning gold at the 2023 Asian Games, and making history as the first Indian men’s pair to win major international titles like the Thailand Open Super 500 and Commonwealth Games gold.
HS Prannoy's loss highlights the ongoing inconsistency in Indian men's singles badminton. While he is a top Indian player with international experience, early exits in major tournaments reflect challenges Indian singles shuttlers face in maintaining top levels against global competition.
Rankireddy and Shetty started as rivals with different backgrounds and personalities. Over time, shared goals, improved communication, and spending time together helped turn their partnership into a close, brotherly bond, driving their historic success in Indian men’s doubles badminton.
Indian badminton is experiencing both successes and challenges. While doubles pairs like Rankireddy and Shetty have achieved historic milestones, singles players face strong international competition. Overall, India is seen as an emerging badminton powerhouse, but consistent singles performance remains a priority.