The maturity to handle pressure situations was the recipe for their success at the Thailand Open after a brief downward spiral post last year's Commonwealth Games success, emerging star shuttler Chirag Shetty said on Tuesday.
However, the Mumbai lad remembers how the duo lost track having taken unnecessary pressure on themselves after winning silver at the Gold Coast Games last year.
"This time, we managed the pressure really well in the final, even though we were playing a Super Series summit clash for the first time. We could have given into pressure and lost the third game easily, having lost the second. But we handled it pretty well, and that's how we were able to comeback,” said Chirag.
On a high after their maiden title triumph, Chirag has now trained his eyes on the upcoming World Championship in Basel, starting August 19.
"Well, after this win (in Thailand Open), hopefully we will able to carry the momentum into the World Championships as well. At the World Championship, the competition is tough right from first round (itself)," said the 22-year-old, who trains at the suburban Goregaon Sports Club under former India doubles specialist Uday Pawar.
Asked what this title triumph means, the youngster replied: "At an individual level, I feel that it augurs well for Indian men's doubles because for the past so many years, we haven't won anything at this level as far as this category is concerned. So, hopefully things change for better in doubles department for India.”
For him, this victory surpasses the silver medal won at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
On Tuesday, the pair of Chirag and Satwiksairaj climbed to their career best world rank of 9 in the BWF charts.
While Satwiksairaj told reporters in Hyderabad that it's yet to sink in, Chirag finds it a bit more believable.
"Kind of, now it is little believable. We played our hearts out and won that title in Thailand. Now, we need to get ourselves up and start preparing for the next target, that is the World Championship," said Chirag
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)