India's top men's doubles pair, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, secured their place in the final of the Indonesia Open 2023 badminton tournament by defeating Republic of Korea's Kang Minhyuk and Seo Seungjae 17-21, 21-19, 21-18 in an epic battle of one hour and seven minutes.
However, HS Prannoy bowed out of the tournament after losing to Denmark's Viktor Axelsen in straight games.
The semi-final match, held at the Istora Senayan sports arena, witnessed an intense first game with Kang Minhyuk and Seo Seungjae dominating the initial phase, thwarting Chirag and Satwik's attempts to seize control of the game. But the Indian pair staged a remarkable comeback after the change of ends, pushing the match into a decisive third game.
MORE: Protesting wrestlers want to participate in Asian Games trials
Riding on their regained momentum, the Indian duo, who had previously won bronze at the world championships, entered the final game with a valuable six-point lead.
The South Korean opponents, determined to turn the tide, fought back, leveling the score at 16-16. Nevertheless, the Indian duo showcased nerves of steel, clinching five of the last seven points and securing their spot in their first-ever BWF Super 1000 final.
This remarkable victory marked the third time that Chirag and Satwik have triumphed over their South Korean rivals in four encounters, solidifying their growing reputation as a formidable force in men's doubles badminton.
Notably, the quarter-final clash witnessed Chirag and Satwik deliver a stunning upset, as they defeated the world No. 1 pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto in straight games.
In the men's singles semi-finals, HS Prannoy's impressive winning streak against Tokyo Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen came to an end, as he succumbed to a 21-15, 21-15 defeat in a hard-fought match lasting 46 minutes.
Who will Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy face in the final?
The Indian pair will take on world No. 3 team of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia in the final.
How to watch the Indonesia Open men's doubles final?
The men's doubles final of the Indonesia Open Super 1000 matches will be available on Sports 18 and the live streaming will be available on the JioCinema app and BWF's YouTube Channel BWF TV. The match is scheduled for a 12:00 PM IST start.