HS Prannoy, Aakarshi lost quarter-final at the Australian Open Badminton
Indian badminton fans were left disappointed today, June 14th, 2024, as all four Indian players competing in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open Super 500 tournament lost their matches. HS Prannoy, the sole remaining hope in the men’s singles after Sameer Verma’s earlier defeat, fell short against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in a thrilling encounter.
HS Prannoy Bows Out After Close Fight
Prannoy started the match strongly against Naraoka, but the Japanese shuttler displayed some exceptional badminton in the first game. Prannoy fought back admirably, even reaching game point at 19-18, but Naraoka managed to snatch the first game 21-19 after Prannoy found the net on a crucial return.
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The second game began with renewed hope for Prannoy, who took a quick 3-0 lead. However, Naraoka regained control, showcasing some attractive shots and building a comfortable lead. Prannoy struggled to keep pace, and Naraoka eventually sealed the victory with a 21-13 score in the second game.
A 61-minute straight-games match. That tells a story. HS Prannoy defeated by Kodai Naraoka in the quarterfinals. Sameer lost earlier as well. pic.twitter.com/VH12lMpSxW
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) June 14, 2024
Updates Throughout the Match
Live updates throughout the match painted a picture of a tight contest. Early reports mentioned Naraoka taking a comfortable lead in the second game (10-15), but Prannoy’s fighting spirit was evident with updates showing him closing the gap (13-17). Ultimately, Naraoka proved to be too strong on the day.
Other Indian Losses at Australian Open Badminton
Prannoy’s defeat wasn’t the only disappointment for India. Earlier in the day, Sameer Verma lost convincingly to Chinese Taipei’s C.Y. Lin in straight sets (12-21, 13-21). In the women’s singles, Aakarshi Kashyap also exited the tournament after a loss against Y.P. Pai (17-21, 12-21). In mix-double category, the Indian pair of N. Reddy and B.S. Reddy lost in straight set to the Chinese pair of Y.Wei and Z. Jiang by 12-21 and 14-21.
This marks the end of the Indian challenge at the Australian Open. While the results may be disappointing, the players will undoubtedly learn from this experience and look to improve their performances in future tournaments.
Indian badminton fans will be hoping for a stronger showing from their players in upcoming tournaments. Prannoy’s close fight against a strong opponent offers a glimmer of hope for future success.
