Satwik-Chirag Vs Chia-Soh Highlights, Paris Olympics QFs: Indians Crash Out With Heartbreaking Loss

The men's doubles quarter-final match between India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and Malaysia's Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik is scheduled to begin at 4:30pm IST. (Streaming | Full Olympics Coverage)

The Malaysians lead by an 8-3 margin, when it comes to this match-up. It was 8-0 at one point, before Satwik-Chirag came into their own and claimed three back-to-back wins against the fancied Chia-Soh. Still a tricky fixture, by all means for the Indians.

All is in readiness for the titanic encounter. Both pairs have stepped into the court and shaked hands with the chair umpire, their opponents. Satwik-Chirag win the toss and opt to receive service first. The customary pre-match knocking begins.

The Malaysians have the serve first up as decided, and an aggressive Chirag wins the first point at the net. The Indians are off the mark.

Chirag wins another net battle to draw level with the Malaysians. A neck-and-neck battle in the early stages.

Rallies flowing thick and fast, as is common in men's doubles badminton. A mix of short and long serves, smashes and net battles are the order of the day as each point is a mini plot unto itself.

The Indians go into the mid-game interval with a one-point lead. They were up 10-8 when the Malaysians racked up back-to-back points, but another quick exchange at the net puts Satwik and Chirag (just about) in front at the break.

A good run of points post break presents the Indians with a five-point advantage. Satwik and Chirag exploiting the open spaces well, and have got a good understanding of the conditions. Their lifting too has improved, observes former Commonwealth Games medallist Parupalli Kashyap on air.

A smart change of direction with the drop, and India now have eight game points.

Easy does it for Satwik and Chirag. They pocket the first game with a resounding 21-13 margin, on the back of a splendid display post the mid-game break. They are in control, and the semi-finals appear to be within their grasp. Let's see if the Malaysians can mount a comeback in the second game.

And a breezy start from Sat-Chi in the second game too, as an aesthetically pleasing smash from Satwik opens up a four-point lead for the Indians. Chia-Soh under pressure.

The Malaysians rebound with five points on the bounce. Something to think about for the Indian duo.

The conditions coming to the fore as Chirag commits a service error. The shuttle swings away with the drift to gift Chia-Soh a cheap point.

Satwik and Chirag utilize their reach to the utmost, as they leap to time their smashes to perfection and kill the point early. Back on level terms.

The Indians call for a review as the shuttle falls deep in the back court. Hawk eye shows it to be landing on the line, and Sat-Chi lose the referral.

It is the Malaysians' turn to go into the mid-game break in the lead. Just one point separates the two pairs in the second game as of now.

Chia and Soh are on the charge now, with smash after smash to subdue the Indians. Still not much in it, and Satwik-Chirag could wipe out the deficit in no time.

The lead grows to four points, and worrying signs now for Sat-Chi in Game 2.

Another service error from Chirag, and the Malaysians now four points away from forcing a decider.

A lift from Satwik drifts wide, and Chia-Soh inch closer to winning the second game.

The Malaysians convert the first of six game points to take the second game 21-14 and force a decider. The momentum with Chia-Soh now, and the Indians need a fast start in the third game.

Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik begin the decider well, taking three of the first four points with decisive stroke-making.

The Indians look a bit rattled now as errors spring up. Time for Sawtik-Chirag to review their strategy?

The Indians draw level with precise strokes from the back by Satwik, and at the net by Chirag. This should renew some of their confidence in this increasingly tense encounter.

Chirag seems to be a bit rushed with his reactions, and Kashyap on air exhorts him to calm down and breathe. One of many errors in service response hands Chia-Soh a two-point lead.

Sat-Chi win a long-drawn rally to draw level. A trademark Satwik smash hands them the lead for the first time in the decider. And a splendid defensive shot by Chirag off the next one forces the Malaysians on the backfoot. The Indians go into the final mid-game interval with a two-point lead.

A spectacular rally ensues, and Indians emerge with the spoils after some world-class defence to regain a two-point lead. It's all about the nerves at this stage.

Kashyap on air says that the flat, fast exchanges are largely going the Malaysians' way and Sat-Chi need to steer the game in another direction. The score is level again, meanwhile.

Chirag opts for the softer, block-like shot that slows down the rally, and it immediately pays dividends. This match is going down to the wire for sure.

Tension mounting in the Indian camp as some more nervy shots lead to errors, and Chia-Soh win four straight points to open up a three-point lead. Two more points, and they storm into the semis.

It's all over. The Paris dream ends in heartbreak for Satwik and Chirag, who go down after winning the first game by an eight-point margin. The scoreline is 21-13, 14-21, 16-21 as the Malaysians level up when it matters. The pursuit of a maiden Olympic medal ends here for the ace Indian duo, though they can leave with her heads held high for the manner in which they played thus far.