Thailand Masters Badminton: Sai Praneeth has bowed out of the Thailand Masters 2023. The 30-year old lost in three games against China’s sixth seed Li Shi Feng in the quarterfinal on Friday, 3rd February 2023. With the loss, India’s campaign has come to an end in the Thailand Masters this year. Follow Thailand Masters Badminton 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
Thailand Masters Badminton: Sai Praneeth loses vs Li Shi Feng in quarterfinals, India’s campaign ends in Thailand Masters 2023 – Watch Highlights
Praneeth, who is a former Top 10 player started off the contest on a positive note. He had lead of 15-10 in the opening game. However he failed to capitalise on it and allowed his opponent to make a comeback. Shi Feng reduced the deficit to 14-16. He won the next five successive points and took the lead before closing out the set 21-17.
In the second game too the Chinese managed to take an early lead and entered the break with a two-point advantage. In the second half of the set too he was crusing with a 19-14 lead and looked all set to clinch the victory in straight games. However Praneeth fought back and managed to take the scores to 18-19. He then denied two match point opportunities for the Chinese and levelled the scores 20-20.
At 21-20, the Chinese thought his opponent had hit outside the sideline and celebrated early. However the umpire offered the point to Praneeth. He lost his focus a bit after that as he made two back-to-back net errors and lost the second game.
In the decider, Li came back strong and jumped to a six-point lead at 18-12. Praneeth again dug deep to bring it down to 18-19 before a backhand return to net handed two match points to the Chinese, who sealed it with a smash.
Thailand Masters Badminton: Sai Praneeth loses vs Li Shi Feng in quarterfinals, India’s campaign ends in Thailand Masters 2023 – Watch Highlights
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