BWF Malaysia Open 2024: Satwik-Shetty’s Valiant Effort Falls Short In Epic Three-Game Final

In a closely contested battle for the Malaysia Open 2024 title, India’s badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty faced a formidable challenge from China’s Wang Chang and Liang Weikeng.

The Indian pair, already etching history by becoming the first Indians to reach the final in the Malaysia Open Super 1000 during the Open Era (since 1983), exhibited dominance in the initial exchanges.

Surging to an 11-4 lead at the mid-game interval and securing the first game with a commanding 21-9 margin in just 13 minutes, they appeared imperious.

However, the resilient Chinese pair turned the tide in the second game, establishing an 8-3 lead and maintaining a five-point advantage at the interval.

Despite the Indians’ determined efforts to close the gap, the world champions forced the match into a decider.

In the final game, the Indian duo initially led 10-3 but surrendered a couple of easy points, allowing the Chinese pair to claim a narrow 11-7 lead at the mid-game interval. The contest intensified, with both teams fiercely competing until the world no. 1 Chinese pair secured victory in this hard-fought encounter.