Japan Open Badminton: HS Prannoy in pre quarterfinals: Ashwini-Shikha knocked out: India’s HS Prannoy managed to reach the pre quarterfinals of the Japan Open on Tuesday. The Indian shuttler was leading 11-10 in the first game when his opponent Angus Ng Ka Long withdrew. In one of the other matches, the Indian women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Bhat and Shikha Gautam lost to South Korea’s Baek Ha Na and Lee Yu Lim in straight games, 15-21, 9-21. Follow Japan Open 2022 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Prannoy, after this win, has set up a massive clash with world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the second round. The latter defeated Zhao Jun Peng 21-15 and 21-19.
Coming to his first match against Angus, it was always expected to be a close encounter for Prannoy against the world number 12. It proved to be so with both the shuttlers looking good on the court.
However, the Angus looked a bit uncomfortable against the Indian after the first interval in the first game of the opening round. Angus decided to handover the game to Prannoy with the Indian leading 11-10.
India’s ace shuttler HS Prannoy moved into men’s singles pre-quarterfinals of #JapanOpen2022🏸after his opponent Ng ka Long Angus retired hurt midway in the first round.
However Indian duo Ashwini-Shikha knocked out after losing to Baek-Lee. pic.twitter.com/NEfDSu2iCd— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 30, 2022
Now, all eyes will be on the next big game – Prannoy vs Loh. The Indian had a fine run in the World Championships, beating Kento Momota and Lakshya Sen. He will be eager to bring the same kind of intensity and class against the world champion to move into the next round of the competition in Tokyo.
Coming to the doubles clash, the women’s pair of Ashwini Bhat and Shikha Gautam were outplayed by their opponent. They lost to South Korea’s Baek Ha Na and Lee Yu Lim in straight games, 15-21, 9-21.
At one point in the first game, the Indian pair looked quite solid. But as the game progressed, they faltered. In the second game, Baek and Lee eased past their opponent to knock out the Indian pair.
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