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Top Indian shuttlers Parupalli Kashyap and H.S. Prannoy notched up victories against their higher ranked opponents to progress to the men's singles quarterfinal at the $300,000 Singapore Open Superseries on Thursday.
World No 15. Parupalli Kashyap stunned the World ranked 5, Korean shuttler Son Wan Ho whereas H.S Prannoy knocked out the World No. 2 Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark.
Prannoy does the double over Jorgensen
World No.14 Prannoy had an easy outing against the Danish shuttler as he came out on top 21-16, 21-8 in 33 minutes to earn his third consecutive win over the World No.2. First game was an evenly contested game as both the players were fighting hard for each and every point. Leading by 17-16, Prannoy won the next four points on a trot to wrap up the game 21-16.
Prannoy, who defeated Jorgensen in the second round of India Open Superseries last month, started the second game on a positive side as he took a strong six points lead before the mid game interval. Prannoy stamped his authority with sharp smashes and better net shots to make it a one-sided contest as Jorgensen only watched his hopes go up in thin air.
From 15-8. Prannoy grabbed the next six points in quick succession to draw the curtains on the challenge of the Danish player. He will now take on the winner of the match between Kento Momota and Tien Chen Chou
In another men’s singles match, 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medalist and London Olympics Quarterfinalist Parupalli Kashyap got the better of the World ranked 5 Korean shuttler Son Wan Ho. This was Kashyap’s first victory in three meetings against the Korean ace.
Kashyap survives Korean test
Kashyap dominated the net early on and used his smashes well to lead 11-9 in the opener. Kashyap further raised his game after the break as he put pressure on his opponent and gathered few points with his deft net shots to reach 18-15.He then clinched the next three points in a row to pocket the opening game 21-15.
It was a nerve-wracking battle in the second game as the duo of Kashyap and Son were battling their heart out to take an early advantage. From 8 all, Kashyap grabbed the next three points to go as a leader in the mid game interval but the higher ranked Korean made a good comeback as he played some good down the line shots to level the scores to 16-16.
Leading 20-19, Kashyap failed to convert the first match point opportunity but he kept his cool at the decisive moment as he nailed the next two points to enter the last eight of the tournament.
He will now play the World No. 32 french shuttler Brice Leverdez for a place in semis.
