edited by: Amrit Santlani
Last Update: January 13, 2023, 2:37 pm IST
HS Prannoy crashes out of Malaysia Open in quarterfinal round (HS Prannoy Twitter)
HS Prannoy crashes out of Malaysia Open 2023, loses 16-21, 21-19, 10-21 to Kodai Naroka of Japan
India’s highest-ranked shuttler in the world, HS Prannoy crashed out in the quarterfinal round of the Malaysian Open on Friday, January 13, losing to Japan’s Kodai Naroka.
The 21-year-old Japanese shuttler cruised to a 21-16, 19-21, 21-10 win even as the world number 8 made a mistake that cost her dearly.
Prannoy began the Malaysia Open by defeating fellow compatriot Lakshya Sen in the opening round, but his hopes of reaching the semi-finals were dashed by the Indian shuttler’s upset.
The youngster needed just 24 minutes to win the first game, and while the 30-year-old from Delhi fought back valiantly in the second set, which lasted 34 minutes, Prannoy was no match for his opponent in the decider. The points got away very easily.
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After an exchange of early points between Prannoy and Naraoka in the final game, the Japanese raced to a 5-3 lead, courtesy some good net shots.
The Indian shuttler came back within touching distance, still trailing 5-6, before he got up and groaned in pain, needing a spray of magic.
The quarter-final match was the longest played by Prannoy since the inception of the Malaysia Open, and the age difference started slowly as the young shuttler opened up a 10-6 lead.
In another fierce rally, the 21-year-old jumped high and got the better of his opponent to take a five-point lead 11-6 at the break in the deciding game.
The world No. 8 was being tested to his limits as Naroka opened up a 12-6 lead with effortless netplay. Prannoy scores another try with another try.
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The Japanese shuttler really found her rhythm and opened up a 17-7 lead, and the Indian shuttler was guilty of her own undoing, committing too many unforced errors.
A semi-final spot seemed miles away for Prannoy as he continued to play loose shots, looking tired and fatigued as the match trailed 20-10.
Perhaps it was telling that another mistake by the highest-ranked Indian shuttler cost Naroka the match-winning point.
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