Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty at Paris Olympics 2024 Highlights & Score: Satwik-Chirag win their opening match, get crucial win under their belt

That brings us to the end of our live coverage for the match. We continue to cover the entire Indian contingent in action at Paris. Click here to be redirected to our main blog. Scroll below to read the highlights of this match.

Rankireddy/Shetty hit the ground running. Defeat opponents 21-17, 21-14

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have started their quest for Olympic glory with a comfortable victory over pair of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar. While, the French duo started off decently in both the games, they ran out of steam soon. They seemed to lack coordination and lost out on points due to some ordinary display at times.

Shetty and Rankireddy feasted upon the mistakes of their opponents. Though, it would not be wrong to say that it was by no means their best performance. They too had their share of errors and mistakes. But hey! At the Olympics, it is about peaking at the right time. India hopes that they would be able to do that. They have done enough for now and keep the expectations alive.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 21 - 14 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

AND THERE IT IS!!! As expected, the golden duo has won this in straight sets. The crowd was right behind the French pair cheering them on. However, Corvee and Labar seemed to lack coordination.

It wasn't by any means, Sat/Chi's best performance either. Chirag Shetty, in particular, made a few errors. But in the end, it is still a pretty comfortable victory.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 20 - 14 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Chants of "INDIA, INDIA" can be heard now as Sat/Chi look for the match point.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 19 - 14 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Just when the French seemed to be garnering momentum, they ended up hitting this one into the middle of the net. India can smell victory now.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 18 - 13 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Rankireddy asks for the court to be mopped. He is finding it slippery.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 18 - 12 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

And the mis-coordination is back. Sat/Chi cash upon and lead by 6 points again.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 16 - 11 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Excellent coordination between Corvee and Labar. They seemed to have changed their strategy. Labar can be now seen clearing and deploying jump smashes from the backcourt while Corvee is now in the forecourt mainly.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 16 - 10 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Hit beyond the baseline. Shetty lets it go. India have a 6 point lead.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 14 - 10 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

OH! THE COMMENTATOR'S CURSE!! Shetty makes a schoolboy error. Even the on-air commentator exclaims "how did he miss that?"

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 14 - 9 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Back to back errors from the French. India back to leading it comfortably.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 11 - 9 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

A couple of powerful smashes from Labar who jumped from the backcourt. Shetty bent low to scoop it back and was able to return once, but ended up sending it beyond the side alley on the second attempt.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 11 - 8 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

COMEBACK!!!!! Shetty almost played this point solo. He went back and then to the front and back again. In the process, he seemed to lose his balance again. But was able to keep standing till Corvee made a mistake.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 10 - 8 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Shetty drives it into the net. Next, Rankireddy does the same. The French duo closing in now.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 9 - 6 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

INDIA BACK IN IT! Shetty answers. This was lobbed up at friendly pace by Labar. Shetty smashes it powerfully to the left of Corvee who cannot move quick enough to reach it.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 8 - 6 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

BRILLIANT FROM CORVEE!! He charges to the net and smashes it straight at Shetty. Shetty once again loses his balance as the shuttle comes to him at the rate of knots.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 7 - 5 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

OH NO! Shetty is on the floor. He lost his balance and India lose a point.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 7 - 4 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

AGAIN!! Both French shuttlers are caught stranded in the forecourt as the shuttle flies over Corvee's head and lands within the box.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 6 - 4 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Corvee buries his face in his palm after he loses a point by driving the shuttle into the middle of the net.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 5 - 3 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Lovely, cross-courted backhand from Shetty, gets India to 5 points in this game.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 4 - 3 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Poor from the French duo again! Both the shuttlers were caught standing in the forecourt and Shetty was able to drive the shuttle over their heads.

Game 2: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 2 - 2 Corvee/Labar (FRA) Game 1 [21-17]

Once again, we have a pulsating start to the game. The French duo move swiftly to earn two points before they are caught looking at each other losing the shuttle between them, giving India the opening.

Game two gets underway now.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 21 - 17 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

FIRST GAME WON!!!! Poor from Corvee. He tried to deploy a cross court drive but ended up hitting it beyond the side alley. Easy point for Sat/Chi. They win the first game.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 20 - 17 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

Shetty gasps as he loses the point. He hit this one a little harder than he wanted. Labar shows discerning judgement and lets it go at the last moment. It falls beyond the baseline.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 20 - 16 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

India come back. The last point was won via a drop shot. Labar ended up smashing it into the middle of the net.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 18 - 16 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

Labar has his moment to shine. Cleared by Shetty. Labar jumps up and smashes it in the corner to the left of Rankireddy.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 18 - 15 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

Good comeback from the French duo. They made the Indians reach for the shuttle. Both Shetty and Rankireddy had to stretch their arms at either sides on a bunch of occasions through the last two rallies. Eventually, they lost control and sent the shuttle beyond the side alley

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 17 - 13 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

Corvee serves. Returned by Shetty, returned back by Labar. Shetty deploys a jump smash which was returned back too. Then Rankireddy intercepted with another jump smash earning the point.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 16 - 12 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

After losing a point, they come back well. Shetty runs near the net and smashes the shuttle into the divorce area. Labar and Corvee are caught looking at each other as it falls between both of them.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 15 - 11 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

Long rallies with back and forth smashes from both the pairs. Sat/Chi win another point and get the serve.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 14 - 10 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

The duo pick up a couple of points before Shetty drives the shuttle into the tape on the serve, losing a point.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 12 - 9 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

Rankireddy clears and it falls beyond the baseline. Then, he fails to clear a powerful smash coming his way. Shetty ends up making the same error in the mid-court. Three consecutive points to the French.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 11 - 6 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

FAST AND FURIOUS!! Sat/Chi make the French duo dance to their tunes as both scamper from left to right and back, in the end missing the shot and conceding the point. The Indian pair in lead at the mid set break.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 9 - 6 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

Once again, Labar loses control. He drives the shuttle beyond the side alley. Rankireddy moves to his left and sees that it is going to fall outside. Lets it go.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 8 - 5 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

The pendulum continues to swing back and forth. Labar has lost control a couple of times, sending the shuttle beyond the side alley. He asks the referee for a change of shuttle. Referee allows it.

Game 1: Rankireddy/Shetty (IND) 5- 3 Corvee/Labar(FRA)

After a pulsating few rallies, Indian duo have maintained the lead. The crowd is into the action cheering the home team on. But the Indian duo have looked unfazed by it and are putting on a good show thus far.

Poor start for the French duo

The first serve hits the tape and Sat/Chi get the first points.

Referee calls play, French pair serve

The match gets underway with the French duo serving.

The players arrive at the court

Amidst a thunderous applause from the crowd the two pairs make their way to the court and get ready for the toss.

Read up further on what to expect out of this match:-

2024 Paris Olympics Badminton: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty vs Lucas Corvee/Ronan Labar preview and where to watch

While we wait for the match to start, read up on what transpired when the two pairs went up against each other in the past ⬇️

2024 Paris Olympics Badminton: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty vs Lucas Corvee/Ronan Labar head-to-head record

At Paris, they start their campaign against the French duo of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar - a pair against which Sat/Chi boast an undefeated record. However, with the crowd behind them, Corvee and Labar would want to leave no stone unturned and are expected to give the Indian pair a run for their money. Exciting action awaits us. Stay tuned for live updates.

Earlier this year, the pair achieved another milestone as they were ranked no.1 in the world for 10 consecutive weeks. Along the way, they competed in multiple BWF tournaments and reached the finals on a number of occasions, winning some and losing some. The most recent titles they clinched were the Thailand Open and the French Open.

Sat/Chi - as they are affectionately referred to by badminton fans - also competed at the Tokyo Olympics. They won two out of their three group stage matches and even defeated the eventual gold medallists. However, they failed to qualify for the next round on points difference. Though, in the last olympic cycle, they have gone from strength to strength. Among their most noteworthy achievements was a gold medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the World Championship the same year. They also helped India win the Thomas Cup that season.

When pundits jot down the list of India's medal hopefuls at Paris Olympics, they tend to keep the names of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty very close to the top. In fact, most believe that after Neeraj Chopra, this duo is India's biggest hope for glory.