China: India’s HS Prannoy pulled off a sensational comeback in the opening round of the China Open Super 1000, saving five match points to defeat Japan’s Koki Watanabe in a thrilling three-game contest on Tuesday. However, it was heartbreak for Lakshya Sen, who exited early after a disappointing loss to China’s Li Shi Feng.
World No. 35 Prannoy rallied from a game down and an 8-point deficit in the decider to edge past the 18th-ranked Watanabe with a gritty 8-21, 21-16, 23-21 victory.
The match saw Prannoy trailing 2-11 in the final game and staring at defeat at 15-20, with Watanabe holding five match points. But the experienced Indian showed remarkable composure, saving all five and then clinching the match with a narrow 23-21 finish.
“At this point in my career, every win matters. I’m happy to be back on tour. Small breaks happened here and there, and the competition level is much higher now. Winning each round is getting tougher,” Prannoy said after the match.
Reflecting on the changing dynamics in men’s singles, Prannoy added:
“The average age has dropped to 22-23. There are many fresh faces, and you don’t know their game, which makes it more challenging as a senior player.”
With this win, Prannoy sets up a Round 2 clash against sixth seed Chou Tien Chen on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen’s slump in form continued as he crashed out in the first round. Despite taking the opening game, the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist lost 21-14, 22-24, 11-21 to fifth-seeded Li Shi Feng of China.
Sen appeared in control early on but failed to maintain momentum, eventually letting the match slip away after a closely contested second game.
In women’s singles, Anupama Upadhyay was also knocked out in the first round. After narrowly winning the first game, she went down to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Hsiang Ti with a scoreline of 23-21, 11-21, 10-21.
There was more disappointment in mixed doubles, as both Indian pairs — A Surya/A Pramuthesh and Rohan Kapoor/Ruthvika Gadde — bowed out in their respective opening round matches.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will now be on HS Prannoy, who remains India’s sole hope in the men’s singles draw after his valiant display of grit and determination.
