End of good run at Japan Open for Srikanth Kidambi and Prannoy HS

Curtains down for India’s top players Srikanth Kidambi and HS Prannoy at Japan Open Super Series who had a close and tough match against the World No. 2 Viktor Axelsen and Shi Yuqi respectively.

The unseeded and recent US Open champion, H. S. Prannoy lost to the World no. 4 China’s Shi Yuqi with 15-21, 14-21 earlier today at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo.

The game started in the favour of Shi Yuqi, but in no time, the Indian contended to the game with 5-4. With three consecutive points, the Chinese took over the lead with 8-5. Yuqi with his healthy lead made Prannoy to stifle and get into the deep trouble with the 5 point huge difference at 13-18. The fighting spirit of Prannoy hasn’t changed right from the beginning and dragged the game to 13-20 and saved two points before Yuqi sealed the first game with 21-15.

The second game started with the exchange of competitive serves and tied the score till 5-5. Scoring four consecutive points thereafter, Yuqi dominated the proceedings and had complete control over the opponent with 4 point lead making the score to 9-5. Prannoy with his best moves managed the scores and came close to Yuqi with 3 point difference, making the scores to 11-14.

The Chinese took no time reaching the game point 20-13 by not committing any errors and continued his dominant performance throughout the game, trouncing Prannoy with an ease and progressed into the semi-finals with 21-14.

Losing its one off the top player in the tournament, India has all its eyes on the 25-year old Srikanth Kidambi, who clinched back-to-back titles at Indonesia and Australia. Fighting against the world champion Axelsen, Srikanth failed to match the agility of the Dane committing few errors; ousted in the quarterfinals of Japan Open Super Series at Tokyo today. After two intense close matches, Srikanth lost to Axelsen with 21-17, 21-17 in 40 minutes.

In the opener game, Srikanth gave the early lead to the Dane with 0-2. At 4-4, Srikanth caught up Viktor with an amazing cross-court shot; dragging who’s-in-the-lead game to 10-10, gave the least inch to the opponent. Srikanth returned the bird with his cross-court and drop shots allowing the opponent to trail now and then. A smooth defensive shot from Axelsen at 16-16 made the game closer and tougher for both the players. The tall and swift Axelsen gave no time to Srikanth to get back in the game after 17-17. With 4 consecutive points, Axelsen conquered the game with 21-17 finishing with a splendid smash and amazing execution.

As the second game begun, Srikanth started his early domination on World No 2 by 20-shot rally at 1-2. Srikanth, in his good groove at the moment gave all his best to be the upper hand with 8-6 before the Dane levelled him at 9-9 and lead at the break with 10-11. The players pouring the cross court angled smashes and fabulous rallies in the right form; pumped up by his powerful smashes, Axelsen dominated with the lead 13-15.

The players being not just the rivals to each other but also the persons with the sportsmanship spirit. Srikanth acknowledged his saved point against Axelsen with the high-five at 16-18. With three match points advantage, the Dane seized the game again with 21-17 and dusted all the hopes for Indian.

A tough luck for Srikanth, who gave all his best but Axelsen was just too good in the end.

With this win, Axelsen is in lead with 3-2 head-to-head face offs over Srikanth, having won the last three duels; last one being at the All India Open in Delhi.