Sikki-Pranaav into the semi-finals, assures India a bronze at Japan Open

A day to remember for the India’s No. 1 mixed doubles pair, Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy  as they crossed the hurdle and made their way to the semifinals of Japan Open Super Series today at Tokyo. They got past World No. 50 Seung Jae Seo and Kim Ha Na of Korea with 21-18, 9-21, 21-19 in 58 minutes.

In the first game, Pranaav was pretty impressive in the beginning at the net with Sikki Reddy and took a four-point lead with 11-7 by the half-time against the Koreans. Maintaining the same momentum, the duo seized the opening game with 21-18.

The Koreans came back strongly after their first game loss and kept the lead in the second game with 14-6 ahead the Indian pair. Seung and Kim dominated the Indian pair throughout and made an easy victory with 21-9, making the game more tougher by throwing into the decider.

Not losing the strength and the brink, the Indians combined well and pulled themselves back after losing the second game by a heavy margin. In the third game, the duo Sikki - Pranaav had a two-point advantage at the break over the Korean pair Kim Ha Na - Seung with 11-9. Before claiming the third game, the game tied at 19-19. With just two points away from entering the semi-finals, the Indian duo with their top notch performance confirmed their first ever semi finals spot at super series with 21-19.

Earlier, the Indian left-right handed pair defeated the Japanese pair Yuki Kaneko and Koharu Yonemato with 21-19, 17-21, 21-15 in the pre quarters. 

Pranaav Chopra and Sikki Reddy's enthralling victory in the quarters was the highlight of the day for India. #JapanSS Semis calling 💪 pic.twitter.com/zfgoWqdDUd

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) September 22, 2017