Jakarta, June 16: Shuttler HS Prannoy continued his giant-killing spree to stun World and Olympic Champion Chen Long of China to enter the semifinals of the Indonesia Super Series Premier badminton tournament along with Kidambi Srikanth, here Friday.
A day after he dispatched three-time Olympic silver medallist and World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, the Indian showed his mettle once again as he saw off eighth seed Chen Long 21-18, 16-21, 21-19 in an energy-sapping men’s singles match that lasted 75 minutes. It was Prannoy’s first victory over the Chinese in their four meetings.
Compatriot Srikanth, who was playing on another court, also reached the last four stage with a 21-15, 21-14 win over Chinese Taipei’s fifth seed Tzu Wei Wang.
Prannoy opened up an early lead at 8-5 before extending it to 11-7 with a jump smash to enter the break in the first game. He then extended the lead to 15-10 with a lovely dribble at the net. However, Long reduced the gap to 13-15 with some telling smashes.
A 21-stroke rally then saw Prannoy win the next point. It was a huge confidence-booster and soon he was leading 20-15. Long managed to save two points before Prannoy grabbed the opening game when the Chinese hit wide.
The second game was a see-saw affair. Long led 11-6 at one stage, but Prannoy narrowed the deficit to 11-12 with some great retrieves. Long again led 16-11, but Prannoy reeled off five straight points to make it 16-all. However, Long again opened up a two-point lead when Prannoy hit wide. He then closed out the game with a flick at the net which Prannoy failed to retreat.
In the decider, Prannoy lagged 1-4 behind early on, owing to a series of miscued strokes at net. The Indian however, changed the pace of the rallies and caught up at seven-all.
Long, however, ensured he had the advantage when he entered the break with a slender 11-10 lead. However, immediately after the break Prannoy hit some spectacular shots to lead 16-13.
A long rally ensued after that which Prannoy won after his rival faltered at net. However, Long again drew parity at 17-17, before Prannoy won an extraordinary rally to reach 19-17.
Long pushed one back to the baseline to win the next point but a crosscourt smash at the Chinese’s forehand gave Prannoy the match point and he grabbed it with both hands when his rival hit wide again. PTI
