Tokyo Olympics: Chirag-Satwik fall to Fernaldi-Sukamuljo

The Indian pair was outwitted by the experienced Indonesians

Hyderabad: As expected Indonesia’s Marcus Gideon Fernaldi and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, the World No.1, powered past Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty of India to record a 21-13, 21-12 victory in 32 minutes in the second Group A match at the Olympics on Monday. It was Chirag-Satwik’s ninth successive loss to the indomitable Indonesian pair.

Satwik and Chirag have one win and one loss while the Indonesian pair has won both their matches. Satwik and Chirag, who shocked the World No.3 pair of Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin of Chinese Taipei, face England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy in their final Group A match. If the Indian pair wins and if the Indonesia pair downs the Chinese Taipei pair, then Satwik and Chirag could cruise into the quarterfinals. Lee and Wang defeated the English pair to be in the contention.

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Riding high after their fine win over the Chinese Taipei pair on Sunday, Satwik and Chirag were caved in meekly to the superior Indonesian pair. Former National coach Bhaskar Babu said the Indian pair failed to read the game, tactics and strokes of the world number one pair.

“The Indian pair’s reaction at the net was a bit slow. They played a defensive game and they made mistakes at the net. They were not able to finish off the rallies as the fast Indonesians were good at the net. This resulted in both Chirag and Satwik making mistakes,’’ he said, adding “perhaps lack of match practice did not help their cause.’’

The Indonesian pair is a notch above the Chirag and Satwik, according to doubles international Sumeeth Reddy. “Both Fernaldi and Sukamuljo play a fast and aggressive game. They played to a plan and they put pressure on the Indians with their speed and reflexes at the court. Sukamuljo was outstanding at the net,’’ he said.

Fernaldi’s serves were also good and often caught the Indians off guard. “But what is important is that the Indonesians kept Satwik at the net and that helped them to dominate the game.

Although both Satwik and Chirag started brightly but once the Indonesians took the grip of the match, they cruised away to victory. Perhaps the Indians could have changed the tactics a bit by indulging in rallies or little bit of dribble at the net but the strong Indonesians ensured that there were short rallies to crush Indian hopes.’’

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