In an intense battle lasting 94 minutes, Prannoy exhibited distinctive composure and dedication to safe a 21-19, 13-21, 21-18 victory towards his Chinese language opponent, who’s ranked 34th on this planet. This victory marks a big milestone for Prannoy, as he had been eager for a person title since his triumph on the 2017 US Open Grand Prix Gold.
Regardless of being an integral a part of India’s triumphant Thomas Cup marketing campaign final 12 months, Prannoy has been unable to safe a person title till now.
The 30-year-old got here tantalisingly near ending his title drought on the Swiss Open within the earlier 12 months, the place he reached the finals, and in addition reached the semifinals stage at each the Malaysia Masters and Indonesia Tremendous 1000 tournaments.
With this long-awaited victory on the Malaysia Masters Tremendous 500, HS Prannoy has not solely confirmed his mettle on the worldwide stage but additionally signalled his potential to realize additional success sooner or later.
On Sunday, HS Prannoy, ranked ninth on this planet, managed to interrupt the jinx and ship a outstanding efficiency towards his 23-year-old Chinese language opponent in a gruelling battle.
All through the week, Prannoy showcased his distinctive bodily and psychological energy as he tactfully outwitted his opponents. He overcame powerful challenges from gamers of excessive caliber, together with the world quantity 5 Chou Tien Chen, the reigning All England champion Li Shi Feng, and Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto, in hard-fought three-game matches.
Prannoy’s victories over such formidable opponents are a testomony to his ability, resilience, and strategic acumen on the badminton court docket. His capability to keep up focus and outmaneuver his rivals in long-drawn battles additional underscores his dedication and perseverance.
With these spectacular performances, Prannoy has demonstrated his functionality to compete on the highest degree and set up himself as a pressure to be reckoned with within the worldwide badminton area.
Prannoy’s plan was easy: sustain a constant assault, retrieve every little thing and anticipate the opponent’s mistake.
The Indian used his angled returns to create possibilities and his economical court docket mobility helped him to maintain tempo along with his fast left-handed opponent.
From 1-Three down, he drew parity at 5-5 after lunging ahead to place the shuttle away from Weng.
The Chinese language stepped forward however two extensive pictures meant it was 7-7. Prannoy would, at instances, finish rallies with a miscued shot on the internet, permitting his youthful rival to get into leads.
A exact down-the-line smash introduced the Indian again at 10-10 earlier than Weng smashed on the web.
(AP Photograph)
Prannoy saved a conservative method because the rallies prolonged. Quickly the duo moved to 16-16. After lacking out on a number of internet pictures, Prannoy grabbed a few factors earlier than a relentless assault earned him two sport factors.
He was responsible of giving a mid-court return and it was punished. Weng subsequent despatched his backhand to internet, as Prannoy earned the bragging rights.
After the change of sides, Weng was 4-Zero up after Prannoy went for a flashy return on the internet and in addition hit lengthy twice. A giant smash adopted by a backhand snap shot acquired Prannoy going as he moved to a 5-Four lead with an excellent backhand block.
In a sport of wonderful margins, the duo tried to play tighter pictures and Weng managed to seize an 11-9 cushion on the interval.
Prannoy then hit an faulty patch, discovering the web and in addition lacking the traces, and all of a sudden, it grew to become 16-10 in favour of Weng.
Frustration was writ giant on the Indian’s face as errors saved tumbling out of his racquet. Quickly Weng grabbed seven sport factors with a cross court docket return and transformed with a exact return on the backline to pressure a decider.
Within the third sport, Weng held on to his momentum whilst Prannoy saved snapping at his toes at 6-8. A internet kill helped the Indian draw degree at 8-Eight earlier than Weng ended an thrilling rally with a smash.
(AP Photograph)
One other splendid rally ended with Prannoy producing one other superlative shot on the internet to bamboozle his opponent, as he went into the mid-game interval with a slender one-point lead.
After resumption, Prannoy unleashed his cross court docket smashes to maneuver to 14-11. Weng produced a exact smash after which focused his rival’s physique twice to slim it all the way down to 13-14.
Prannoy set free a loud cry after a cross court docket smash, opening up a 16-13 lead.
On the lookout for precision, Prannoy nonetheless missed the traces a number of instances and one other such lengthy shot helped Weng to make it 18-18.
Prannoy saved his nerves and responded with a smash, leaving Weng on the ground. One other magical smash, which simply kissed the traces, gave Prannoy two championship factors, and he transformed it after his opponent hit extensive.
(With PTI inputs)
