SatwikChirag duo, Lakshya in last four; Sindhu bows out

Lakshya Sen moved into the semifinal while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty stayed on course for the men’s doubles title in the French Open Super 750 badminton here on Friday. However, a fighting P.V. Sindhu fell short in the women’s singles quarterfinals.

Satwik and Chirag, the World No. 1 pair which had won the title in 2022, cruised into the semifinals with a 2119, 2113 victory over Thailand’s Supak Jomkoh and Kittinupong Kedren.

The Asian Games champions, who had defeated the Malaysian pair of Man Wei Chong and Kai Woo Tee 2113, 2112 on Thursday night, will meet World champions and third seeds

Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae.

World No. 19 Lakshya, trying to make the cut for the Paris Olympics, rallied to outlast former World champion Loh Kean Yew 1921, 2115, 2113 in a 78minute clash.

The 22yearold from Almora became the third Indian to reach the semifinals of the French Open in the Super Series and World Tour era after K. Srikanth (winner in 2017) and H.S. Prannoy (semifinalist in 2017).

Earlier, Sindhu, who is on a comeback trail after a fourmonth injury layoff, made a gallant fight before going down in a marathon onehour 32minute battle against Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei of China.

The twotime Olympic medallist lost 2422, 1721, 1821 to the second seed and reigning champion Chen in a riveting lasteight clash.

A Women’s Premier League match which, until the start of the 19th over looked well in control of Delhi Capitals, turned at the death in favour of UP Warriorz. Alyssa Healy’s side won by a solitary run, courtesy an implosion from the host and allround brilliance from Deepti Sharma (59 and four for 19) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Friday.

“Cricket’s a funny game,” said Meg Lanning after the blockbuster finish. Set a modest target of 139, Lanning’s 60 (46b, 12x4) was the anchor pulling the DC chase along. Jemimah Rodrigues was the secondhighest scorer with a 15ball 17. Despite that, Capitals seemed on course for a win and cement their place atop the standings as they needed just 15 off 12 balls.

Deepti changed the complexion of the game,