Subhankar Dey progresses into next round at the German Open

National 2017 bronze medallist Subhankar is the only singles representative at the ongoing German Open. The 67th ranked Indian cruised to pre-quarters after the 16th ranked Wong Wing Ki Vincent retired trailing with 12-21, 11-19.

Dey will face the tough fourth seeded Chou Tien Chen in the pre-quarters match on Thursday.

As most of the big players gearing up for the prestigious All England Open, Sai Praneeth and Satwik-Chirag pulling out from the tournament, only handful players; Pranaav-Sikki, Arjun-Ramachandran, Sumeeth-Manu Attri and Subhankar Dey left for the German Open.

With twin defeats; Men’s doubles shuttlers Arjun MR with Shlok Ramachandran and B Sumeeth Reddy with Manu Attri ousted in the main draw, Pranaav-Sikki and Subhankar Dey left in the mixed doubles and men’s singles events from India.

Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy defeated Chang Ko-Chi and Cheng Chi Ya of Taipei with 24-22, 17-21, 21-19 in 58 minutes. Later, men’s doubles pair Arjun M. R. and Ramachandra Shlok lost to the top seeded Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda of Japan with 13-21, 18-21

The former Syed Modi International champions will next take on the Thai duo of Tinn Isriyanet and Pacharapun Chochuwong, who stunned the seventh seeds Lee Chun Hei Reginald and Chau Hoi Wah in the opener.

Pranaav and Sikki have been in good form since the start of the 2018 season and have come to this tournament on the back of a semi-final appearance at the India Open.

On the other hand, the German Open 2018 is the limelight as it is the first tournament where BWF’s New Service Rule has been implemented. It is ‘the whole of the shuttle shall be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court at the instant of being hit by the server's racket.’

The new rule has created a little havoc among the tall shutters, as it is difficult for them. Before mega tournament next week, thus The German Open started implementing this new rule.