Japan Open: HS Prannoy loses in quarterfinals after valiant effort

HS Prannoy went down combating within the males’s singles quarterfinals in opposition to world championships bronze medallist Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei, bringing down the curtains on India’s marketing campaign on the Japan Open right here on Friday.

The 30-year-old Indian performed out of his pores and skin and saved three match factors, solely to endure the agony of shedding it in the long run, as Chou emerged victorious 21-17 15-21 22-20 in a pulsating contest that lasted an hour and 20 minutes.

One of essentially the most constant Indian gamers within the circuit this season, Prannoy recovered nicely from a gap recreation reversal, and saved respiration down his opponent’s neck until the final level however, in the long run, Chou’s perseverance noticed him by way of on this match on the Super 750 match.

End of #JapanOpen2022 for @PRANNOYHSPRI 💔

He put up all out to assault to comeback in 2nd recreation 21-15 after happening in 1st 17-21 however, sadly went down 20-22 in final recreation in opposition to WR-6 Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen in QFs.#BWFWorldTour#Badminton pic.twitter.com/PcARkZoPEY

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) September 2, 2022

Coming into the match after his twin wins in opposition to Chou within the final two conferences, Prannoy engaged in a battle of attrition along with his rival, and was up 12-8 within the opening recreation.

However, Chou recovered to show the tables at 15-14 when Prannoy went to web. The Taiwanese was pumped up as he moved to a two-point benefit after the Indian faltered along with his web shot twice.

Another stiff return on his opponent’s backhand ended with Prannoy sending one to the online, and when he put his forehand to the online, there have been three recreation level alternatives for Chou.

A exact cross courtroom return gave Chou the bragging rights.

After the change of sides, Chou once more opened up a slender 5-4 lead earlier than a fortunate web chord introduced it on an excellent keel. While Chou’s returns received steeper and his assault stronger, Prannoy’s errors piled up as he fell behind 6-10.

Prannoy tried to set the tempo of the rallies, and a incredible rally ended with a fortunate web chord for the Indian, who drew parity at 10-10 when Chou faltered on the entrance courtroom.

However, Chou had his nostril forward on the interval with Prannoy failing to defend a shot on his backhand.

After resumption, Prannoy confirmed higher defence and produced some correct down-the-line smashes to nostril forward of his opponent, who all of a sudden dedicated a collection of errors, particularly within the entrance courtroom.

With Prannoy main 19-14, Chou unleashed a cross-court smash off the Indian’s serve to interrupt the run of play. But Prannoy ensured there have been no hiccups as he took the match to the decider with Chou going lengthy.

Prannoy had an erratic begin to the decider as he sprayed the shuttle large to fall behind 1-4. Chou went lengthy thrice earlier than producing a physique smash to finish a gruelling rally and take a 6-4 lead.

Things didn’t go Prannoy’s means as he struggled to regulate the shuttle and a collection of unforced errors noticed Chou take a six-point cushion on the break.

Prannoy constructed the rallies nicely and precision in his returns, together with two pleasant cross-court returns, helped him make it 12-13. But as soon as once more, unforced errors crept in his recreation as he went lengthy and to the online, to permit Chou take a 17-14 lead.

The Taiwanese produced a physique smash to take care of his three-point lead earlier than gaining three match factors possibilities with the Indian going to web.

Chou went large twice and Prannoy unleashed a down-the-line smash in between to save lots of the three match factors, however he served out subsequent to as soon as once more hand his opponent a match level, and he sealed it in his favour when Prannoy went large.