Canada Open | Parupalli Kashyap reaches semis as Sourabh Verma bows out
Veteran shuttler Parupalli Kashyap overcame the tricky challenge of Lucas Claerbout in hard-fought three games as he advanced into the semi-final of the Canada Open. However, he remained India’s sole competitor in the tournament as compatriot Sourabh Verma was knocked out in another match.
The 32-year-old has been well past his hay days but is still possessing the quality to surprise young shuttlers here and there with his invaluable experience. His clash against Claerbout was one such example as the former Commonwealth Games gold medallist was seen saving a match point before beating the Frenchman in a thrilling encounter of the Super 100 badminton tournament.
It was a discouraging start by the Indian in the opening game but he found his buzz back quite timely at the start of the second game. The erratic encounter saw Kashyap squandering two game points in the second game before trailing 12-16 in the decider. But, he went on to win eight of the next 10 points to earn two match points.
A persistent Claerbout, however, saved those two points and another one thereafter to earn a match point of his own although it wasn’t enough as Kashyap sealed the match on the fourth attempt. The brilliant comeback saw Kashyap beat Calerbout 12-21, 23-21, 24-22 in a one hour and 16 minutes. Kashyap will face Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tzu Wei next.
Higher expectations were there from a prime and national champion Sourabh Verma but he saw a shocking exit as he went down 21-15, 21-11 against China’s Li Shi Feng.
