Chirag-Satwik Enter Final, Lakshya Sen Ousted at French Open 2024
Dara Singh Chahal
10th Mar 2024: In an intense showdown at the French Open 2024, the world No. 1 Indian men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, emerged victorious against South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae. With a commanding 21-13, 21-16 triumph, they secured their spot in the final, marking their third final appearance of the 2024 badminton season.
Rankireddy and Shetty, the 2022 French Open champions, displayed resilience from the start, overcoming a tough challenge to seize control of the match. Despite a spirited effort from their opponents, the Indian duo maintained their dominance throughout the 40-minute encounter.
However, in the men’s singles semi-finals, Lakshya Sen faced a formidable opponent in world No. 8 Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. Despite a strong start and an impressive display in the opening game, Sen ultimately succumbed to Vitidsarn’s prowess, losing 21-19, 13-21, 11-21 in a hard-fought battle lasting 75 minutes.
Sen’s journey at the French Open showcased his tenacity and skill, highlighted by significant victories in earlier rounds. While his semi-final exit marks the end of his campaign, Sen’s performance earns him valuable ranking points for the Paris 2024 Olympics, enhancing his Olympic qualification prospects.
The French Open, a BWF Super 750 event, serves as a crucial platform for players to secure rankings ahead of the Paris Olympics, underscoring the significance of every match in the qualification race.
