Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have never been put off by difficult draws, knowing how to beat every top pair on the circuit. However, their group-stage departure at the Tokyo Olympics, although talented enough to overcome the eventual champions, piqued interest in how they would begin in Paris while chasing a highly possible medal.

They were drawn in Group C against Indonesians Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, who would likely be their first test against a top pairing before the knockout rounds began. To win the pool, they must overcome the French duo of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar, as well as the Germans Marks Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel.

However, defeating the defending All England champions, the Indonesians can inspire confidence, though Tokyo served as a reminder that a group-stage setback, such as for Taiwanese Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Yang, does not halt a march to gold. On the day of the delayed draw, it was a huge relief to miss Group D, which became increasingly perilous with each lot draw. Danish athletes Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen made a late run at reaching World No.2, which put them in Group D.

China’s second-best combination, the extremely talented Liu Yu Chen and Ou Xuan Yi, were therefore sent to Group D. They would be followed by defending champions Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin, who are still formidable three years after their victory. However, their luck turned sour when Tokyo bronze medalists Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, Japan’s strongest pair, also advanced to Group D, where only the top two progress to the quarterfinals.

Not only do they play an extra match, but they also face the most difficult opponents right away. Americans Winson Chiu and Joshua Yuan, the fifth duo to debut at the Olympics, may feel like hapless volunteers among the four pedigreed combinations. Any victory from them will elicit loud laughs and applause in this group.

Group B, which included Koreans Seo Seung-Jae and Kang Min-hyuk, the Popov brothers, and Thais Jomkoh-Kedren, appeared to have the softest landing. Top-ranked Chinese Lian Weikeng and Wang Chang were paired with 2022 world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. Though both are anticipated to advance, the Malaysians can deliver early punches on the top seeds to establish their claim.