Badminton Asia Championships 2024: Sindhu-Prannoy Win; Lakshya, Srikanth Lose; Treesa-Gayatri Fail To Qualify For Paris Olympics

Ningbo, Apr 10: Ace India shuttler HS Prannoy displayed remarkable resilience as he triumphed over China's Lu Guang Zu in a thrilling three-game battle, securing a morale-boosting victory alongside double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who also advanced to the second-round of the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China.

Ranked ninth globally, Prannoy showcased exceptional mental strength during the intense 90-minute encounter, overcoming Lu's challenge with a final score of 17-21, 23-21, 23-21. His next opponent is Lin Chun-Yi from Chinese Taipei.

Meanwhile, Sindhu, aiming to regain her form ahead of the Paris Olympics, faced a tough test against Malaysia's Goh Jin Wei, eventually prevailing with a scoreline of 18-21, 21-14, 21-19. Despite Jin Wei's resistance, Sindhu capitalised on her experience to secure victory. Up next, Sindhu will face China's Han Yue, against whom she boasts a flawless 5-0 record.

However, it was a challenging day for Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth, both of whom suffered defeats in their opening-round matches. Sen fell to a 19-21, 15-21 loss against top seed Shi Yu Qi, while Srikanth faced a 14-21, 13-21 defeat at the hands of Indonesia's Anthony Ginting.

Additionally, Priyanshu Rajawat struggled against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia, losing 9-21, 13-21 in 39 minutes. In doubles, MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila were defeated by the seventh-seeded Chinese pair of Liu Yu Chen and Ou Xuan Yi with a score of 21-23, 21-19, 24-26.

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also suffered a setback, losing 2-21, 11-21 to Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, ending their hopes of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

Prannoy vs Lu

The encounter between Prannoy and Lu marked their fourth meeting, with the Chinese player emerging victorious in all previous encounters. Despite facing initial setbacks, 31-year-old Prannoy, aiming for Olympic glory in Paris, showcased resilience amidst health challenges, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory.

Prannoy has faced challenges this season due to gut issues, resulting in first-round exits from all BWF events except the India Open, where he reached the semifinals. The match didn't start favourably for Prannoy as he conceded the opening game and trailed 6-1 in the second game.

However, showing resilience, Prannoy fought back to gain a four-point advantage after reaching 16-16. Although Lu held a match point at 21-20, Prannoy rallied just in time to secure three consecutive points and level the contest.

The deciding game was equally intense, with Prannoy once again falling behind at 3-10 before staging a comeback to take a 13-12 lead. As the match approached the 70-minute mark, it became a battle of wits and endurance.

Despite Lu holding match points at 20-19 and 21-20, Prannoy responded with two powerful smashes, sealing victory with a triumphant fist pump as Lu faltered at the net.

Sindhu vs Jin Wei

In the match between Sindhu and Jin Wei, the two players started evenly before Sindhu made three critical errors at the backline, allowing Jin Wei to edge ahead 11-9 at the break.

Despite Sindhu's attempts to vary her shots and execute cross-court returns, she struggled with unforced errors, granting Jin Wei a significant advantage with five game points.

Although Sindhu managed to salvage a few points with a well-placed drop shot, she still trailed. In the second game, Sindhu initially led 4-1 but again succumbed to unforced errors, allowing Jin Wei to level the score at 5-5.

However, Sindhu regained her composure to secure a two-point lead at the interval. With the score tied at 13-13, Sindhu unleashed a series of powerful smashes to earn six game points, ultimately clinching the game with a forehand drive.

In the deciding game, Sindhu surrendered an early lead but gradually regained her rhythm, narrowing the gap to 5-7. Despite a brief setback, Sindhu rallied back from a 10-13 deficit with three consecutive points, seizing the lead. As errors crept into Jin Wei's game, Sindhu capitalized on the opportunity, surging ahead to 17-14.

With a series of aggressive smashes, Sindhu found herself just two points away from victory, eventually securing five match points. Although Jin Wei mounted a late comeback, Sindhu breathed a sigh of relief as her opponent's backhand drive landed into the net after a prolonged rally, sealing Sindhu's win.