BWF World Championships: The withdrawal of numerous shuttlers from the BWF World Championships opened the doors for India’s shuttlers in the top half of the draw. However, for the lone Indian male shuttler in the bottom half — HS Prannoy, things looked bleak. But now after two rounds of competition, HS Prannoy has emerged as the dark horse. Follow BWF World Championships Live on InsideSport.IN
On Wednesday, HS Prannoy easily got past Daren Liew of Malaysia 21-7, 21-17 in 42 minutes. Whatever, he touched turned to gold. His back of the court lobs hit the line, his cross-court smashes kissed the line, all of which added to the frustration levels of his opponent Liew who never managed to get going.
BWF World Championships: Impressive HS Prannoy reaches pre-quarterfinals, his form will worry opponents, check details
As soon as the final point ended, Prannoy let out a deafening roar, almost as if he wanted to let all the players know that he was still in it. Most people had counted out Prannoy at the opening round itself as his Round 1 opponent was eighth seed Angus Ng Ka Long, but the shuttler from Kerala seems to have taken energy from those quick to dismiss him and is in the mood to do something special.
Continuing his brilliant run at #BWFWorldChampionships2021 with precision & aggression @PRANNOYHSPRI registered another win. He beat 🇲🇾’s Liew Daren 21-7, 21-17 in the R32 and moved into the pre quarters 🔥
Keep it up champ 💪 #WorldChampionships2021#IndiaontheRise#Badminton pic.twitter.com/rMPTAKxLDD
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 15, 2021
“Prannoy has been very impressive so far. Not many would have bet on Prannoy given the tough draw he got. But his opening round win has given him almost like a second wind and that was on full display against Liew. He absolutely bossed the contest and he will take a lot of confidence from his two displays,” former national coach Vimal Kumar told InsideSport.
Viktor Axelsen’s opening round loss has also opened up possibilities. A quarterfinal showdown was on the cards but now, the field looks quite open.
BWF World Championships: Impressive HS Prannoy reaches pre-quarterfinals, his form will worry opponents, check details
“Nobody could have predicted Viktor Axelsen’s opening round loss. That result must have given all the players hope that anything is possible. And Prannoy will be aware that a semifinal run is on the cards if he keep playing in the same vein,” Vimal Kumar added.
Up next for the giant-killing Indian will be the winner of the second round match between Luis Enrique Penalver of Spain and Rasmus Gemke of Denmark in the pre-quarterfinals. Rasmus Gemke, the 11th seed was forced to withdraw from the BWF World Tour Finals and his fitness will be a major factor in deciding the outcome of the potential third round tie.
Doubles action
The women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy also entered the pre-quarterfinals after a hard-fought 21-11, 9-21, 21-13 win over the Chinese pair of Liu Xuan Xuan and Xia Yu Ting in a 51-minute second round match.
TOP CLASS 😎
WD pair @P9Ashwini & @sikkireddy laid furious attack to enter last-16 at #BWFWorldChampionships2021 in style by beating 14th seed 🇨🇳 pair Liu Xuan & Xia Yu 21-11, 9-21, 21-13 in the R32 💥#WorldChampionships2021#IndiaontheRise#Badminton pic.twitter.com/gnFMeOAj7Q
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 15, 2021
In the men’s doubles however, the Indian pair of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila lost to 11th seeded Russian pair of Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov 11-21 16-21 in a second round match that lasted 41 minutes.
BWF World Championships: Impressive HS Prannoy reaches pre-quarterfinals, his form will worry opponents, check details
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