Singapore Open'18 LIVE: Defending Champion Praneeth Falters

Sai Praneeth ends the good run at the ongoing Singapore Open 2018 tournament losing the opening match against the unseed Japanese Yu Igarashi with 21-16, 16-21, 18-21 in the match that took 71 minutes to conclude.

The defending champion started the game with good form and led with 3 points at 5-2 before letting his opponent to score the high of eight consecutive points. Yu led the game by the interval of 11-8 before losing to the Indian.

After switching the sides, it was a do or die show for the Japanese, who fought hard till he gained the upper hand at 15-13 after the close encounters, eventually saving the game.

In the third game, Praneeth’s upper trajectory was caught by the break, yet to his advantage with 11-10.

Post the break, 2017 Singapore Open winner lost the momentum and appeared low in confidence. Praneeth tried hard to catch the opponent till 17-17 and managed to score another point before letting it go.

With less participations this season, Praneeth fell down to 24th position in the updated BWF World Rankings last week.

Praneeth will be seen participating in the upcoming major event World Championships, which stages in Nanjing, China.