HS prannoy created one of the most modern performances of its season and saved five matches on Edge around Japanese Koki Watanabe in a thrilling opening competition at the China Open Super 1000 Badminton on Tuesday.
Prannoy looked after the game and the end 15-20 in the referees before the dramatic comeback deployed to seal 8-21, 21-16, 23-21 victories over the world no.
“At the moment, my career depends on every victory,” Prannoy said after the match. “I’m glad to be back on tour. Here and there have become small breaks.
The bronze medalist at the World Championship 2023, Prannoy fought for the rhythm in the opening game when Watanabe raced with ease. However, the Indian veteran was regrouping and showing better control and movement to force the referee. In the final game, he stares at the Quick East in 2-11 and again at 15-20, but his refusal to give up he saw him saving five match points and catching a victory in a pulsating surface.
“Average age suddenly happened 22-23 in male singles. There are a lot of fresh faces and you really don’t know what their game is. So it’s hard to be a veteran there,” added Prannoy, underlining the changing landscape of sport.
Meanwhile, Lakeshya’s dreams continued to bow in the opening round after he screened the lead of one game against the fifth seed of China Li Shi Feng. World No. 14 Dream began strong, but could not maintain its dynamics, dropped 21-14, 22-24, 11-21 on a trip susceptible to errors.
In the women’s singles Anupama Upiphyay also ended prematurely, lost 23-21, 11-21, 10-21 on Taipei’s Lin Hsiang Ti. The Indian contingent lasted further disappointment in mixed doubles, because couples Surya and Pramuthesh and Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Gadde were discarded in the opening round.
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Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
22 July 2025
