Indonesia Open 2017 | HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth through to the semis

SportsCafe Desk
no photo

Indian shuttler HS Prannoy defeated China’s Chen Long 21-18 16-21 21-19 in a thrilling encounter to seal a berth in the semi-finals of the Indonesia Super Series Premier. Meanwhile, Srikanth Kidambi overcame Chinese Tzu Wei Weng 21-15 21-14 to cruise into the semi-finals of the tournament.

The eighth-seeded Chen Long started the match by dictating terms early as he took a 2-0 lead over the Kerala shuttler Prannoy. However, the 25th-ranked, on the back of beating Lee Chong Wei, came roaring back into the game with some effective net play and confident drives to take the 9-6 lead and maintained his advantage at the break with a score of 11-7. Chen Long then tried to close the gap after the break by reducing Prannoy’s lead to two points at 20-18, but the 24-year old kept his nerves in check to win the game 21-18.

The second game saw a see-saw distribution of points as both the players kept countering each other and tied the game at 7-7. However, the Chinese Olympic champion managed to gain 3 points over the Indian shuttler to lead 11-8 at the break. Prannoy tried to stage a comeback levelling the match at 16-all but Long won five consecutive points soon after to take the second game 21-16.

In the deciding game, Prannoy looked struck with fatigue and trailed 4-1 to the Chinese. However, just when it seemed like Prannoy will bow out in the decider the 24-year old reduced the lead to a single point at 3-4. Prannoy then led the game 16-13 only to be brought on level terms by the Chinese at 17-17. The Kerala shuttler then surged ahead with a two-point lead but Long did not let the game slip out of his grasp and kept himself within a point's distance from Prannoy with a score of 20-19. Prannoy showed nerves of steel and overcame the Olympic Champion 21-19 to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.

On the other hand, Srikanth Kidambi continued his splendid run of form and went past World No. 19 Tzu Wei Wang 21-15 21-14 in straight games. Srikanth started the first game on the offensive and took a superior lead of  11-5 at the break. The Chinese narrowed down the Indian’s lead to two points but eventually lost the first game 21-15. The Chinese was in no mood to surrender and started the second game in a commanding position leading the game 4-1. However, overtook Wang to finish 11-7 at half-time and then comfortably won the game at 21-14 to join his compatriot in the semis.   

Get updates! Follow us on

laught0
astonishment0
sadness0
heart0
like0
dislike0

Comments

Sign up or log in to your account to leave comments and reactions

0 Comments