Indian Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth (X)
Srikanth registered a 21-15, 20-22, 21-8 win over Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen to seal his progress, however Prannoy went down 17-21, 17-21 to China’s world No. 17 Lu Guang Zu.
India’s Kidambi Srikanth progressed to the lads’s singles second spherical with a surprising win over Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen however HS Prannoy fell in need of making an early exit from the French Open Super 750 badminton match, right here on Wednesday.
The world No. 24 Srikanth, who’s racing towards time to qualify for the Paris Olympics, outwitted 14th-ranked Chen 21-15, 20-22, 21-8 in a 66-minute opening-spherical conflict for his third win over the Taiwanese shuttler in seven conferences.
In the subsequent spherical, the 2021 world championships silver medallist Srikanth will battle it out towards China’s world No. 17 Lu Guang Zu, who ended the marketing campaign of India’s HS Prannoy with a fantastic 21-17, 21-17 win on the adjoining courtroom on the Arena Porte de la Chapelle.
Srikanth was by far the higher participant as he roared again from 5-7 behind, profitable 14 off the subsequent 17 factors to earn the bragging rights.
However, Chen produced a rearguard within the second recreation and managed to maintain his nostril forward in time to take the match to the decider after a gruelling battle of nerves.
After the change of sides, Srikanth was again in his aspect as from 7-5, the Indian pocketed 9 straight factors to go away Chen far behind. The Taiwanese managed three factors earlier than the Indian banged the door on his face with the remaining 5 factors.
In the adjoining courtroom, Prannoy appeared on the highway to glory solely to to falter ultimately as Guang Zu stole the present.
Prannoy moved to a 5-2 lead early within the opening recreation and although Guang Zu clawed again with three factors, the Indian shortly modified gears to reestablish a 3-level benefit on the break.
The duo engaged in some fierce rallies and Prannoy saved issues tight for probably the most half. The Chinese, nevertheless, saved snapping on the Indian’s heels preserving himself inside two factors, ready for a possibility.
It ultimately arrived when Prannoy’s backhand went to internet because the Chinese clawed again at 16-16 earlier than shifting to a lead with Prannoy erring once more.
Guang Zu then pocketed the opening recreation by unleashing a fast return on his rival’s backhand.
Prannoy made an erratic begin to the second recreation, falling 0-3 behind early. It was again to the grind for the Indian as he slowly drew parity at 6-6 with a couple of winners just like the down-the-line smash on Guang Zu’s forehand.
But he additionally missed the strains, going lengthy and extensive a couple of occasions because the Chinese once more capitalised on his errors to seize a 11-7 benefit on the interval.
A decided Prannoy as soon as once more levelled phrases with 4 straight factors, the final being a deadly internet kill.
The rallies began getting fierce because the duo produced some sensational saves displaying nice reflexes, however Guang Zu was a tad sharper and alert as he quickly led 19-15 with Prannoy now struggling to get a grip on the quick-paced rallies.
The Indian did win three straight factors to maintain hopes alive earlier than the Chinese grabbed three match factors with a smash on his forehand and sealed it with one other exact return on forecourt.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
