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HS PRANNOY STUNS WORLD NO. 7 LOH KEAN YEW TO CRUISE INTO JAPAN OPEN QUARTERFINALS

Indian shuttler HS Prannoy showed great tenacity to storm into the quarterfinals of the Japan Open with a splendid victory over Loh Kean Yew of Singapore here on Thursday. The world championships quarterfinalist from India was at his supreme best as he walloped the former world champion 22-20, 21-18 in a match that lasted 44 […]

Indian shuttler HS Prannoy showed great tenacity to storm into the quarterfinals of the Japan Open with a splendid victory over Loh Kean Yew of Singapore here on Thursday. The world championships quarterfinalist from India was at his supreme best as he walloped the former world champion 22-20, 21-18 in a match that lasted 44 minutes to advance further into the BWF 750 tournament.

This was Prannoy’s third victory over Loh. In a battle for supremacy between two skilled players, it was Prannoy who got off the blocks really quick but soon lost focus to find himself 11-17 down in the opening game. With his back against the wall, World No.18 did not lose hope and launched a fightback to draw level at 17-17.

Loh, however, exerted his dominance once again and raced to 20-17. It looked like Prannoy was done and dusted in the opening but the Indian had other plans as he saved three game points to pocket the opening.

After the change of ends, it was the Singapore player who once again came out all guns blazing and took an 11-4 lead at the break. After the resumption, World No. 8 maintained his grip and was leading 14-6 at one stage. But Prannoy showed nerves of steel and despite being on the receiving end for most of the match, he showed courage.

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