In their match, which they won 21-10, 21-17, Chirag and Satwik Sairaj unleashed a storm of power play that left Kang Min-hyuk and his partner reeling. The Indian duo’s aggressive tactics swept over their opponents, leaving no space for a comeback. In the mixed zone post-match, Chirag and Satwik broke down their strategy and execution.
Chirag declared, “We came out swinging from the start. We knew if we slowed down, they’d find ways to turn the game around. We were determined to keep the upper hand, and I’m thrilled we stayed the course.”
He further noted their tactic of shocking their rivals right from the outset, “It’s all about pressure from the get-go. That’s our forte, and we nailed it.”
When the match heated up at 16-16, Satwik revealed their mindset, “We stayed cool even as things tightened up. We knew our pressure would crack them eventually. Our own errors brought them close, but there was no panic. We controlled the game point by point, staying optimistic from the start. Even when I was on the back foot, Chirag took charge, and I trusted every shot I made, knowing we’d clinch the point.”
On the possibility of a third game when their opponents tried to rally in the second, Chirag was clear, “We aimed to wrap it up in two, but we were ready for three if it came to that. We’re conditioned for long matches, having done it before, but we managed to seal the deal in two.”
Satwik elaborated on their dynamic gameplay, “This is like mixed doubles – lots of cross-court play, much like the Koreans. When coach Tan arrived, he pushed me to rediscover my old self. ‘You’re just lifting, not confident,’ he said. I worked on that, and now I’m confident with low shuttles. If it’s not on, I’ve got the lift as backup. It’s like having multiple weapons at my disposal.”
They complimented each other with great & powerful forehand & jump smashes, with more improved play in front of the net, earning points with great intensity.
Training with Manu has been a game-changer, according to Satwik, “Working with Manu and Sumeeth bhaiya has been a revelation since the Olympics. They understand our play inside out. They advised us to avoid lobs, knowing no one wants to give us that chance. They focused us on dominating the front court, having been our adversaries in the past. Communicating in Hindi or other local languages with them creates a unique bond.”