Australian Open: PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth have been knocked out of the Australian Open 2023 quarterfinal. Sindhu lost to world number 12 Beiwen Zhang in straight sets. Srikanth faced a humiliating defeat at the hands of compatriot Priyanshu Rajawat. Rajawat enters the semifinals with a resounding 21-13, 21-8 win over the former Indian number 1. Meanwhile, Indian number 1 HS Prannoy knocked off top seed Anthony Ginting in three games to enter the semifinals. After dropping the first game 21-16, Prannoy made an incredible comeback to win the next two 21-17 and 21-14.
Also Read: Australian Open Highlights: Prannoy, Sindhu, Srikanth, Rajawat enter Quarterfinal
Men’s Singles
Kidambi Srikanth LOST TO Priyanshu Rajawat – 13-21, 8-21
HS Prannoy BEAT Anthony Ginting – 16-21, 21-17, 21-14
Women’s Singles
PV Sindhu BEAT Beiwen Zhang – 21-12, 21-17
Men’s Singles
Kidambi Srikanth vs Priyanshu Rajawat
Orleans Masters champion Rajawat will make his maiden appearance in a semifinal of a Super 500 tournament after knocking out compatriot Kidambi Srikanth 21-13 21-8 in a lop-sided men’s singles quarterfinal.
In a battle between a senior pro and one trying to find his place in the international circuit, Rajawat gave ample display of his talent as he slowly grabbed a 11-6 lead at the interval against Srikanth.
On resumption, the former world number 1 narrowed down the lead to 11-13 after winning five of the next seven points, but Rajawat broke off with a four-point burst to create a 19-13 gap which Srikanth couldn’t bridge.
The young Indian was faster and more precise in his return and maintained his momentum to zoom to an 11-3 lead after the change of sides.
He kept a hold on the match to eventually close out the match without much ado.
HS Prannoy vs Anthony Ginting
Both Prannoy and Ginting came into the match with a 2-2 head-to-head record with the Indonesian having the last laugh in their previous encounter at the All England Championships in March this year.
Sixth seed Prannoy fell behind right from the start with Ginting dominating the rallies, leading 11-6 at the break.
The Indian had his moments but it was too little as the Indonesian kept a firm grip on the match, maintaining a four-point lead. At 14-19, Prannoy reeled off two quick points before Ginting prevailed to take a 1-0 lead.
The second game started on an even keel with the duo fighting close before Prannoy broke off at 9-9 to take a slender two-point lead at the break.
He jumped to a 14-9 advantage before Ginting cut the deficit to 12-15. The Indian shuttler moved to seven-game points but squandered four of them before taking the contest to the decider.
In the third game, Prannoy galloped to 4-0 lead but Ginting managed to make it 7-8 before the Indian eked out an 11-7 advantage.
Prannoy extended his lead to 15-8 when Ginting scripted a fine recovery with five straight points to make it 13-15 but the Indian squashed the mutiny and soon shut the door on his top-seeded rival.
Prannoy will go into the semifinal with a 1-0 advantage against world number 31 Rajawat, having beaten him at the Syed Modi International in 2022.
Women’s Singles
PV Sindhu vs Beiwen Zhang
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu was eliminated from the Australia Open after going down in straight games to USA’s world number 12 Beiwen Zhang in the women’s singles quarterfinals on Friday.
Sindhu, who has slipped to world number 17, was looking to make her fourth semifinal of the season but found it tough against Zhang, losing 12-21, 17-21, in 39 minutes in the Super 500 tournament.
Where to watch Australian Open 2023 LIVE?
Matches can be watched LIVE on BWF’s Official Youtrube Channel BWF TV. Fans can also watch it on JioCinema App.
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