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Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 19-21 Satwik / Chirag: That will be all for this blog. What an evening, what a match it was. A fine comeback, and arguably the most impressive individual event title for Satwik-Chirag (I imagine it will be tough to top Thomas Cup for a while). Asian Championships is one of the toughest events on tour there is, and they should be mighty proud of this achievement.

Post-match reactions:

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy: “I think today we didn’t play, the crowd played with us. It was a bad start in the first and half of second game, but we didn’t give up. We kept our nerves; we know how to play these situations. So, we were waiting for the good rhythm and then take our chances. We were calmer in the second and third games. It felt like playing in Hyderabad. The crowd was amazing.”

Chirag Shetty: “After 13-8 we tried to play little smarter. Service was one thing that worked really well for us; it took them by surprise. We were also a lot calmer while defending as well.”

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy on being Asian champions: “Personally for me, it will take a lot of time to believe that we are the Asian champions. I still don’t believe we are Thomas Cup champions. It’s our dream to win for India and make the flag fly high. Good boost for us as we go into the Olympic qualification period.”

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 19-21 Satwik / Chirag: Podium moments

BAI
BAI

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 19-21 Satwik / Chirag: A look at the winning moment and some fine celebrations.

Satwik told Scroll in an interview in Dec 2021: “We have to now win tournaments, not just play good matches. That’s what makes you a top player, and we want to be in the top five”

Since then, these two have won: India Open, Thomas Cup, CWG, French Open, Swiss Open, BAC 2023

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 19-21 Satwik / Chirag: This was a second brilliant Chirag-Satwik comeback win this year. Liu-Ou looked so good when they led 21-17, 17-10 at Malaysia Open quarterfinals. The Indians went on to win from there. And then another comeback today.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 19-21 Satwik / Chirag: Uff, what a match. The Indians dropped Game 1. Trailed 7-13 in Game 2. Trailed 11-15 in Game 3. And ended up top of the podium. Ong/Teo were fabulous too, and would probably be gutted at the moment, but it takes two pairs to produce a match like that.

Sony LIV

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 19-21 Satwik / Chirag: ASIAN CHAMPIONS! The first ever Indian pair to win this title. What a pair. What a final.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 19-20 Satwik / Chirag: Another warning from the umpire.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 19-20 Satwik / Chirag: Adrenaline. One match point saved, two match points saved. Silence-ish.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 17-20 Satwik / Chirag: Booming smashes from Chirag and match points!

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 17-19 Satwik / Chirag: Boss service return from Chirag!

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 17-18 Satwik / Chirag: A 2-pont lead for the Indians but Teo with a great point to get the serve back.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 16-17 Satwik / Chirag: Jeetega, bhai jeetega chants. Into thje lead.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 16-16 Satwik / Chirag: Amazing defence from Satwik this time and Chirag pounces at the net.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 16-15 Satwik / Chirag: Amazing defence from Chirag to keep the rally going but the pressure pays for Ong.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 15-15 Satwik / Chirag: And we are back level!

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 15-14 Satwik / Chirag: Superb little phase for the Indians and in the nick of time. Chirag at the net taking charge. Satwik doing his thing from the backcourt.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 15-12 Satwik / Chirag: Satwik returns the favour immediately! Hah.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 15-11 Satwik / Chirag: Superb body attack from Ong on Satwik and a big roar.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 14-11 Satwik / Chirag: Still needed about 3-4 smashes but the Indians win the point and get the serve back.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 13-10 Satwik / Chirag: Oh nearly a bad slip there for Chirag. There has been so much of sliding on the courts this week. He seem OK, wipes off the bottom of his shoes. The Indians closed the gap after the break but back at 3 now for MAS.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 11-8 Satwik / Chirag: The Malaysians, on their brilliant defence, have a lead at the final change of ends.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 8-7 Satwik / Chirag: Another diving retrieval by Ong

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 8-7 Satwik / Chirag: And good work by Chirag at the net to close the gap..

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 8-6 Satwik / Chirag: A gift from Ong.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 8-5 Satwik / Chirag: And more fabulous defence from the Malaysians before an error from the Indians.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 7-5 Satwik / Chirag: A good point by the Indians but Satwik misses the flat drive. And great defence by a seated Ong Yew Sin and this is now a lead for the Malaysians.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21, 3-3 Satwik / Chirag: Good even start to the decider.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-21 Satwik / Chirag: What a comeback! From 7-13 down, the Indians turn it around from the brink to win the second game!

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 17-20 Satwik / Chirag: Terrific service return from Chirag and it is game points for the Indians.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 16-19 Satwik / Chirag: The MAS pair seems to have frozen a bit all of a sudden. Chirag’s backhand sets up a point and he has the serve back.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 16-18 Satwik / Chirag: Will that be costly? A good service return forces the error from Satwik.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 15-18 Satwik / Chirag: Wow, the MAS given no space to breathe and it is relentless pressure from the Indians at the moment. A little break in play as Ong was left on the court. But no break in momentum. As Satwik’s smash forces another error.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 13-15 Satwik / Chirag: Level at 14 and now into the lead! What a turnaround. The Indians in the stands are bouncing!

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 13-12 Satwik / Chirag: On their best run of points this match, the Indians have closed the gap to 1.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 13-7 Satwik / Chirag: Oh, Teo with a stunning behind the back shot but Teo’s dive is in vain after that. The Indians closing the gap.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 13-7 Satwik / Chirag: “Full speed now here,” says Boe at the interval. Only if Ong/Teo allow them though. They are playing quite well and most rallies, the Indians are reaction rather than dictating tempo.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 11-6 Satwik / Chirag: And it is the MAS pair with a big lead into the interval. The Indians need a turnaround and need it quick.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 10-6 Satwik / Chirag: A review wasted by Teo. And that is followed by arguably the point of the match for the Indians. 28-shots! Longest too. Chirag kills it at the end.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 10-4 Satwik / Chirag: There’s that mandatory service fault for height! (We kid, we kid). Chirag called for it. The MAS pair takes the next point and it is a massive deficit at this point.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 8-4 Satwik / Chirag: The Malaysians are controlling the flat exchanges and that is a concern for the Indians. Should ideally be their forte. Satwik with a booming smash winner there as I say that.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 6-3 Satwik / Chirag: Unsurprisingly, Chirag tries to slow things down. And it draws an error next point.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 6-2 Satwik / Chirag: Great start to the 2nd game for the Malaysians. The Indians haven’t had too many consecutive points, and this is a worrying early deficit.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16, 1-2 Satwik / Chirag: Great defence by the Indians this time, as Satwik follows up well after Chirag slides.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16 Satwik / Chirag: Here’s how the game unfolded. That phase where the MAS pair pulled ahead in the back-end was the difference.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 21-16 Satwik / Chirag: How did Ong/Teo win that rally! UNREAL. Some 3-4 chances to kill the point but Ong/Teo pull a few rabbits out of their hats. First game to the Malaysians, 21-16. Fun match so far, must be said.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 20-16 Satwik / Chirag: One more game point saved.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 20-15 Satwik / Chirag: One game point saved.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 20-14 Satwik / Chirag: Game points galore. A good rally but ends with Satwik pushing the shuttle long.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 19-14 Satwik / Chirag: Teo has been superb at the net and with his serve in this phase.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 18-14 Satwik / Chirag: The Indians needed that point.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 18-13 Satwik / Chirag: That is a terrific rally. Ong with a superb crosscourt net shot to set up the point. Chirag loses his footing and the backhand is into the net.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 17-13 Satwik / Chirag: Teo’s serve is setting up a series of good points. And the first 3-point lead of the day, then a 4-point lead, goes to MAS.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 15-13 Satwik / Chirag: Indians on the backfoot at the moment. Ong with some attacking pressure from the back court.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 13-13 Satwik / Chirag: Chirag with a powerful downward hit and the Indians sneak back ahead. But not for long.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 12-12 Satwik / Chirag: Impressive backhand touch winner by Satwik right out of the interval. And a good aggressive point to make it 12-12.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 11-10 Satwik / Chirag: Incredible rally at 10-10, the Indians did so well but the last shot is at the net from Chirag.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 10-10 Satwik / Chirag: Inch by inch we get to the interval. Next point to decide the lead.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 9-9 Satwik / Chirag: Indians with a really good attacking point, both of them raining down smashes but it’s take a while to break the MAS defence.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 8-8 Satwik / Chirag: It is all very tight here. Neither pair allowing the other to dominate and short rallies as you’d expect.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 7-7 Satwik / Chirag: Futile challenge by Satwik, as a crosscourt shot lands in. Back level.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 4-6 Satwik / Chirag: Great defence from the Indians to go up by 2 points.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 3-3 Satwik / Chirag: Nerves? Neither pair able to put together consecutive points.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 3-3 Satwik / Chirag: The Malaysians are usually superb defenders. The Indians naturally like to attack but have developed their defence over time. Will be the battle to watch out for.

Men’s doubles final, Ong / Teo 1-1 Satwik / Chirag: Expectations on both sides. Here we go. Great support for the Indians all week in Dubai, no different today. Worth keeping an eye on Chirag’s movement, he had some ankle concerns yesterday.

Men’s doubles final, Teo / Ong vs Satwik / Chirag: Some smiles for “orange” at the coin toss thanks to Teo’s hair colouring.

Men’s doubles final, Teo / Ong vs Satwik / Chirag: H2H is 3-3. The Indians won in Basel not so long ago on their way to winning the Swiss Open title. When they meet, it is usually fireworks. If all four are fully fit, expect the same on Sunday.

Men’s doubles final, Teo Ee Yi / Ong Yew Sin vs Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty: The men’s singles medal ceremony is underway. Not long left for this final.

The Indians won in Basel not so long ago on their way to winning the Swiss Open title. When they meet, it is usually fireworks. If all four are fully fit, expect the same on Sunday.

This is how the finals Sunday has unfolded so far.

Hello and welcome to Scroll’s badminton coverage. Today we will be tracking the men’s doubles final featuring Indians Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty at the Badminton Asia Championships in Dubai.

No strangers to firsts, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty on Saturday became the first Indian men’s doubles pair to enter the finals at the Asia Championship.

Their opponents, the Tokyo Olympic champions Chinese Taipei’s Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin retired midway through the 2nd game due to a nasty injury to the latter.

Today in the final, it will be Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin vs Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the world No 8 vs world No 6. There is very little to separate them in terms of H2H with the past meetings evenly split at 3-3.

Screenshots in the blog courtesy Tournament Software / Sony LIV