Pranaav-Sikki lose in Japan Open semis

Tokyo, September 23

India’s campaign ended at the Japan Open Super Series badminton tournament after the mixed doubles pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy suffered a narrow loss in the semifinals.

Chopra and Reddy squandered the opening game advantage to go down 21-14 15-21 19-21 to the local pair of Takuro Hoki and Sayaka Hirota. During the 60-minute battle, the Indian pair fought hard, getting an early 7-4 lead which was erased by the Japanese combo quickly at 9-9. But the Indians moved ahead with a short burst of points to grab the opening game comfortably.

Takuro and Sayaka changed gears in the second game and led 4-1 and 11-8. Chopra and Reddy reduced the deficit to 13-15 before the Japanese combo walked away with the game to push the contest to the decider. 

The final game turned to be a rollercoaster ride as the two teams fought tooth and nail till 8-8, after which the Japanese pair opened up a 13-9 lead. They then led by at least two points until the Indians caught up at 18-19. However, Takuro and Sayaka managed to grab two of the next three points to seal the match at 20-19. — PTI

Important results

(Men’s semis): Viktor Axelsen bt Son Wan-Ho 21-16 21-16; Lee Chong Wei bt Shi Yuqi 21-19, 21-8

(Women’s semis): Carolina Marin bt Nozomi Okuhara (retd. hurt); He Bingjiao bt Chen Yufei 21-14, 25-23