Indian challenge ends as Saina, Prannoy lose
ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP Duo comes up with brave effort but fails to enter final
WUHAN (CHINA): Indian challenge ended at the Asia Badminton Championship after Saina Nehwal and H S Prannoy went down fighting in the women’s and men’s singles semi-finals on Saturday.
Saina, who had clinched her second gold at the Commonwealth Games, played out of her skin but could not get past world number two and defending champion Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei, losing 25-27, 19-21 in an edgeof-the seat thriller.
World number 10 Prannoy paid the price for being too erratic as he went down 16-21, 18-21 to Olympic champion Chen Long of China in a 52-minute match.
For Saina, it was her eighth straight loss to Tai Tzu in 16 meetings and third defeat of the season. She had lost to her nemesis at the Indonesia Open final and All England Cham
pionship Total matches
Saina has lost last eight encounters
this year but unlike those defeats, it turned out to be a thrilling contest on Saturday as Saina gave ample display of her new-found confidence and fitness.
POSITIVE START
In the men’s singles match, Prannoy started on a positive note as he opened up a 5-2 lead early on but Chen erased the deficit with three quick points.
The Indian tried to be patient during the rallies but he struggled to keep the shuttle inside to allow the Chinese keep breathing down his neck.
Prannoy tried to change the pace and angles of his strokes but he faltered in finishing the rallies. After the change of sides, Chen once again jumped to a 3-0 lead. Prannoy, however, continued to find the going tough.
The Indian came out with a barrage of smashes to make it 10-11 but Chen once again moved ahead, to take his place at the final.