Prannoy shocks Chong Wei, again

Odense, October 20

HS Prannoy’s second successive win over three-time Olympics silver medallist Lee Chong Wei was the highlight of a day when Saina Nehwal crashed out while Kidambi Srikanth made it the quarterfinals of the Denmark Open Super Series.

Just four months back, Prannoy had dispatched Chong Wei in straight games in the Indonesia Super Series. Yesterday, the unseeded Indian ousted the former world No. 1 Malaysian 21-17 11-21 21-19 in a match that lasted an hour and three minutes. World No. 8 Srikanth defeated South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok Jin 21-13 8-21 21-18. Prannoy will next face S Korea’s top seed Son Wan Ho, while Srikanth will meet Viktor Axelsen. 

Saina crashes out

Saina Nehwal lost to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 10-21 13-21 in the quartefinals. Earlier, Saina prevailed over Thailand’s Nitchaon Jindapol 22-20 21-13 in the pre-quarterfinals. 

Stunning Prannoy

Prannoy trailed Chong Wei, who turns 35 tomorrow, 1-2 in career meetings before the match. The 25-year-old Indian built up a 10-7 lead but the former world No. 1 levelled with a lucky net chord before entering the break with a slender lead after the Indian’s return missed the sideline.

Chong Wei held on to his lead till 14-13 when Prannoy unleashed a jump smash to draw parity and then went into the lead. But Prannoy’s return going to the net again tied the score.

The Indian soon jumped to an 18-15 lead before two quick reflex smashes helped Chong Wei narrow the gap. However, Prannoy again grabbed three game points and sealed it with another deceptive return, which Chong Wei failed to return. The second game begun with both the shuttlers committing unforced errors. Prannoy won a video referral and held a 4-3 lead when Chong Wei hit wide. The Indian then hit the net a few times to allow the Malaysian to lead 8-6. With Prannoy struggling with unforced errors, Chong Wei moved into the break with an 11-8 lead.

Chong Wei extended the advantage to 14-8 before Prannoy unleashed two powerful returns, celebrating with a scream. However, the Indian couldn’t reign in his errors as Chong Wei eventually managed to take the match to the decider.

The third game saw Chong Wei open up a 5-2 lead but he misjudged shuttles at the baseline twice and Prannoy sent one at the back of the court on the line to make it 6-8. He kept snapping at his rival’s heels and drew parity at 10-10. But a quick reflex net return helped Chong Wei lead 11-10.

After the interval, Prannoy managed eight straight points to lead 18-13. The Indian then made a service error and Chong Wei produced a body smash to make it 15-18.

A forehand return from Prannoy going to the net further narrowed the gap but the Malaysian hit the net next and Prannoy led 19-16. The Indian then went wide thrice on the trot to allow Chong Wei get level at 19-19. However, he unleashed a crosscourt smash to earn a matchpoint and sealed it. — PTI