India's search for a world badminton doubles title ended on Sunday with Saatwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty winning the Thailand Open. The giant-killing Indian pair defeated reigning world champions Li Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen in a thrilling men's doubles final in Bangkok, Thailand.
In the process, the unseeded Saatwik and Chirag Shetty became the first Indian pair to win a Super 500 event. Playing in their BWF tour final of the season, the Commonwealth Games silver medallist won the nerve-wracking first game 21-19.
The third-seeded Chinese pair took the second game 21-18, by winning three straight points to force the decider at the Indoor Stadium Huamark.
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In the final game, the Indian pair fought back from a start to lead 13-9, then witnessed a see-saw battle. But the Indians wrapped up the final in one hour two minutes in three games, 21-19 18-21 21-18.
