Chirag Shetty and Rankireddy script history by winning Thailand Open

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, August 4, 2019: India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty stunned reigning world champions Li Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen of China in the final of the Thailand Open World Tour 500, winning 21-19, 18-21, 21-18.

The World No. 16 team playing their first major final against the reigning world champions and second-ranked team. And body did they come up with the goods. Except for a few nervy points at the end of the second game and start of the third, Satwiksairaj and Chirag never looked overawed by the occasion or their opponents. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are the first Indian doubles team, male or female, to win a title at the 500 level.

"Well, not really. It was just our first major final. Just that our opponents are the world champions and regularly feature in finals. Once we entered the court we were focused on the match and didn’t feel any pressure" - Chirag Shetty on whether they felt any pressure as the only Indian players left in the draw.

"I’m speechless. Chirag has been so supportive. As have the crowd, they have supported us from the first day. Thank you to them." - Satwiksairaj Rankireddy on being asked how the Indians, unseeded coming in, are the title winners.