New Delhi, Jan 16 (FN Agency) Satwik Sairaj and Chirag Shetty on Sunday scripted history, becoming the first Indian men’s doubles pair to clinch the India Open title here at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall. The Indian duo defeated the veteran Indonesian pair of Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan 21-16, 26-24 in the final. This was Indian’s first final appearance since the 2019 French Open – where they went down fighting against the Minions – Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sukamuljo.
In the first set, Satwik and Chirag held an early lead 11-9. Indonesians did gain quick points in between but it was the Indians who had two points advantage at the time of the mid-game break. Post break, the scores were leveled at 13-13 but the Indian duo regained their lead and took the first set 21-16 in 15 minutes. The second game witnessed a tight contest and the Indians went on to break with a slender 11-10 advantage. After the break, Satwik and Chirag held on to their one-point lead before the Indonesians equalized 17-all. The locals saved three game points but the drama continued as the scores were 23-all after the service errors from both the sides. A net error from the Indonesians gave a match point opportunity to the Indians which they converted into their maiden win.