New Delhi: India’s challenge at the Malaysia Open received a boost on Wednesday as HS Prannoy and Malvika Bansod advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the prestigious Super 1000 tournament with commanding opening-round victories.
Prannoy overcame a spirited challenge from Canadian shuttler Brian Yang to secure a 21-12, 17-21, 21-15 win in a match that lasted one hour and 29 minutes. The contest had been interrupted due to water leakage from the venue roof, causing a delay after Yang held an advantage in the second game.
Despite dropping the second game, the Indian ace regained control in the decider, displaying composure and experience to seal his place in the last 16. Prannoy will next face China’s seventh-seeded Shi Feng Li, who defeated fellow Indian Priyanshu Rajawat in straight games.
In the women’s singles draw, Malvika continued her impressive run by defeating Malaysian favourite Goh Jin Wei 21-15, 21-16 in just 45 minutes. She will next take on the winner of the clash between China’s third seed Yue Han and South Korea’s Yu Po Pai.
India also enjoyed success in mixed doubles. The pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto defeated South Korea’s Sung Hyun Ko and Hye Won Eom 21-13, 21-14 to enter the pre-quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Sathish Kumar Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath registered a straight-game win over compatriots Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh to book their place in the next round.
However, there was disappointment in women’s doubles as sisters Rutaparna and Swetaparna Panda bowed out after a straight-game defeat to Thailand’s Benyapa and Nuntakarn Aimsaard.
