Signs of promise & more from Satwik and Chirag

Indian duo post third victory in ongoing Malaysia Open to enter semis

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @Chennai

THE gun duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the semifinal of the season-opening Malaysia Open (Super 1000) in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. The usually ebullient partnership calmly went about their business before despatching locals, Yew Sin Ong and Ee Yi Teo, 26-24, 21-15 across 50 minutes. They will next face South Korea's Won Ho Kim and Seung Jae Seo for a place in Sunday's final.

Just after the final point played itself out in the match's second stanza—an unforced error by a Malaysian racquet after a short rally—the Indian pair shook hands without much gusto. Another match ticked. A chore completed. Going into the semifinals to kick-start a year just after the Olympic-sized disappointment in Paris.